AYSAA Demands Fair Treatment for Tea Garden Workers in Assam

Protest for Workers' Rights in Dibrugarh

Dibrugarh, Sept 3: The Adivasi Youth Students Association of Assam (AYSAA) has called on Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to address the alleged exploitation and denial of rights faced by workers in tea gardens owned by small growers throughout the state.

During a demonstration outside the District Commissioner's office, the organization, led by president Nipen Munda, presented a memorandum outlining the persistent issues faced by thousands of workers in Assam’s small tea plantations. These issues include inadequate wages, lack of provident fund benefits, bonus payments, unsafe transportation, and the need for proper enforcement of labor laws.

AYSAA emphasized the significance of the small tea sector to Assam's economy, which employs a substantial number of individuals. According to information obtained via an RTI, Dibrugarh district alone has nearly 29,771 small tea gardens, both registered and unregistered. Despite the sector's economic contributions and available tax benefits, workers reportedly remain deprived of fair wages and essential rights.

The primary demand from AYSAA is to raise the daily wage for all small tea garden workers to Rs 451. The organization claims that many workers currently earn between Rs 200 and Rs 230 per day, or even less, and is advocating for strict adherence to the Minimum Wages Act and the Code on Wages, 2019. To facilitate fair wages, they are also calling for a Minimum Support Price for the produce from small tea growers.

Additionally, AYSAA is pushing for mandatory registration and regular contributions to the Assam Tea Employees Provident Fund Organisation (ATEPFO) for all small tea gardens employing ten or more workers. They allege that many workers are being denied provident fund benefits, leaving their families without necessary social security and financial safety.

Transportation safety for workers is another critical issue raised by AYSAA. They claim that workers are often transported in vehicles designed for carrying goods, such as tractors and load carriers, which poses safety risks and violates the Motor Vehicles Act. The organization demands an end to this unsafe practice.

Moreover, AYSAA has accused some small tea garden owners of unlawfully deducting money from workers' wages under the guise of bonuses. They are calling for strict enforcement of the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965, to prevent these illegal wage deductions.

Among other requests, AYSAA is advocating for state-wide labor inspections in small tea gardens and stringent actions against owners who violate labor laws. They are also seeking the establishment of a State Policy for Small Tea Garden Workers to ensure comprehensive welfare, social security, and labor rights protection.

Recognizing that workers are the backbone of Assam’s tea industry, AYSAA urges the government to guarantee fair wages, dignity, safety, and statutory benefits through effective monitoring and enforcement. The protest was also supported by general secretary Rajesh Kerketta.