The Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha (ACMS), the biggest tea garden workers union of the state, has demanded the tea industry to pay bonus to the workers ahead of Durga Puja celebration.
The tea workers’ body asked the tea gardens to pay the 20% bonus to the plantation workers.
Last month the ACMS had written to tea bodies like ABITA, ATPA, TAI, BCP and NETA to ensure maximum bonus for workers.
Under the payment of Bonus Act, 1965, the minimum bonus for tea garden workers is 8.33% while the maximum rate has been fixed at 20%.
“We request you to declare the quantum of Bonus and pay the same latest by 3 weeks ahead of “Durga Puja” 2021. It is our expectations that all gardens would pay maximum quantum of bonus for the accounting year concerned at one go to meet the hopes and aspirations of the workers,” ACMS general secretary Rupesh Gowala said.
He also urged the tea garden to make cash payments instead of cheques.