Relief for Over 3,200 Workers as Two Tea Gardens to Reopen in Alipurduar

 

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Two tea estates in Alipurduar district, Kalchini and Raimatang, which shut down in October last year, are set to reopen this month, bringing relief to over 3,200 workers.

The reopening follows consistent efforts by the Trinamool Cha Bagan Sramik Union, which pushed the labour department to find a solution. A bipartite meeting in Siliguri confirmed that a new investor would take over both estates.

Raimatang Estate will reopen on December 12

Kalchini Estate will reopen on December 19

Birendra Bara, president of the Trinamool union, announced that workers will be paid eight days' wages upon reopening, and staff will receive a month’s salary. Additionally, the long-pending bonus for Raimatang workers will be cleared by February 15, 2024.

Further talks are planned to resolve outstanding gratuity and provident fund payments.

Rajesh Barla, general secretary of the Bharatiya Tea Workers Union, welcomed the move, expressing hope for the revival of the estates.

Despite this positive news, six tea gardens remain closed in the district, highlighting ongoing challenges in the tea industry.