Denied Dues, Workers Lock Arcuttipore Tea Estate After Missing Chhath Puja

Deprived of their pending dues, angry workers locked the gates of the Arcuttipore (Arkatipur) Tea Estate on Friday and went on an indefinite strike. Workers of both Arcuttipore and Chappanhall Tea Estates in Cachar district alleged that despite repeated assurances from the management, neither their wages nor their festival bonuses have been paid to date, leaving them in severe financial distress.

According to the agitating workers, the tea garden authorities had earlier promised to clear their dues before Chhath Puja. However, the payments were never made, forcing them to take to the streets. “Our work has been stopped since Wednesday (October 29). Yesterday we submitted a memorandum to all the authorities, including the Labour Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, local MP and MLA. The manager went on leave on October 20, before Chhath Puja, and we were told our wages would be disbursed on October 24, but that didn’t happen. We couldn’t even celebrate Chhath Puja,” said one of the workers.

The worker further claimed that the manager had received money from the Bharat Mala land acquisition compensation but failed to pay the labourers. “We don’t want the bagan to go to waste. We just want our daily wages — once we get that, we’ll return to work,” he added.

Another labour leader said the puja bonus was also withheld despite being assured in the presence of the Labour Officer. “It’s fine if we don’t get the bonus, but at least our wages shouldn’t be stopped,” he remarked.

Earlier, a meeting was held at the Labour Commissioner’s office in the presence of the garden panchayat, the Barak Valley Tea Workers Union and the Labour Commissioner, where it was decided that the dues would be cleared before Chhath Puja. However, the workers allege that the decision was never implemented.

The protesters have urged the authorities and the administration to intervene immediately and release their pending dues. They have also warned that the tea garden will remain shut until their demands are fulfilled.