Raimatang tea plantation in Alipurduar suspends operations, leaving 1,250 workers jobless ahead of Durga Puja
The management cited lawlessness in the garden for the decision.
Citing lawlessness in the garden, the manager of Raimatang tea plantation in Alipurduar's Kalchini block declared on Wednesday night that work in the garden would be suspended.
1,250 workers were shocked by the decision because they lost their jobs before Durga Puja.
According to sources, the tea estate had been unwell or unprofitable in recent months.
"The management fulfilled all other commitments while making investments in the factory, the plantations, and other areas. But employees didn't cooperate, which made the financial situation worse, according to a source.
A portion of the workforce is also mentioned in the notice for engaging in behaviors like physically abusing, intimidating, and forcing the managerial personnel into confines.
"The technical assistant was attacked by an unnamed worker who broke into his home late on October 8th. He sustained severe wounds. This is unwanted and has raised concerns about management executives' security and safety. The insider continued, "Local trade union leaders' roles are likewise inadequate.
According to the source, the management made the decision to declare an emergency stop to garden operations under such circumstances.
Trade union representatives have criticized the decision. They claim that the management abandoned the employees, leaving them without a job, rather than giving them their yearly bonus so they could enjoy the celebrations like in the other gardens.
"We have consistently assisted the management." They ought to be stopped from taking such a step. It is recommended that the state labor agency take prompt action and arrange a tripartite meeting in order to facilitate the garden's prompt reopening. At the garden, Omdas Lohara, the secretary of the Trinamul Cha Bagan Workers Union, stated, "We want the garden to reopen ahead of Durga Puja."
The Raimatang tea estate issue was known to labor department representatives. One of them stated, "A meeting would be called soon to resolve the impasse."
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