The order temporarily suspends implementation of the BJP-led state government’s wage hike announcement for the tea garden workers before the polls
GUWAHATI: The Gauhati high court, in an interim order on Tuesday, observed that till the court takes a final stand, the right to enhance wages of tea garden workers should be given to the tea companies and ‘no coercive action’ will be taken against them for not complying with the state government’s order on upward revision of wages issued last month.
Justice Michael Zothankhuma, while hearing a bunch of petitions filed by the Indian Tea Association along with 17 tea companies, said in his order, “Further after hearing the parties, this court is of the view that liberty should be given to the petitioners to pay to the workmen any interim enhancement of their wages as they deem proper, till the issue is finally decided by this court.”
Assam Tea Garden Owners At Liberty To Decide On Wage Hike: High Court
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As Assam goes to polls, spotlight on 10L tea garden workers
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Assam has over 10 lakh tea workers in the organised sector working in 856 tea estates producing around 55 per cent of India s tea. Tea tribe communities are determining factors in around 25 to 30 seats in 126-seated Assam Assembly. The Bharatiya Janata Party-led government, which after coming to power in 2016 had increased the wages of the tea workers by Rs 30, and on February 20 the state government decided to hike the daily wages to regular 7,46,667 tea garden workers by Rs 50 from Rs 167 to Rs 217. However, the implementation of the Rs 50 a day hike in wages for tea garden workers is likely to be delayed as a petition filed by the Indian Tea Association (ITA).