Joint Forum, a conglomeration of over 23 trade unions associated with the tea industry, is likely to split over the…
Representational Image (PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES)
Joint Forum, a conglomeration of over 23 trade unions associated with the tea industry, is likely to split over the ‘interim’ wage hike issue. The possibilities follow the acceptance and refusal of the new wages by tea gardens in the Terai and the Dooars.
The INTUC-affiliated National Union of Plantation Workers (NUPW) leadership on Monday held a meeting with leaders from the Terai, Dooars and North Dinajpur and adopted a resolution that workers would accept the interim increase of Rs 17.50, while also protesting the delay in implementing the Minimum Wages Act in the tea sector.
“We have decided that the workers would receive the revised rate of wages of Rs 150 a day, including the interim hike of Rs 17.50 on protest,” acting president of the NUPW central committee, Aloke Chakravorty said. “We had to disobey the resolution of the Joint Forum due to some technical reasons, as some constituents have broken resolutions of the Forum,” he added.
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“Apart from the JF, we have decided to strengthen the Coordination Committee, which functioned earlier in the interest of tea workers. Constituents of the Coordination Committee never violated unanimous resolutions,” he added.
Citing examples, Mr Chakravorty also said that a few constituents in the JF like the BJP-backed BTWU, JAP and the Adivasi Vikas Parishad do not abide by the resolutions of the Forum. Notably, the JF has issued a refusal letter, protesting the hike and has demanded legitimate claims, including the Minimum Wages.
“We have set a 31-May deadline for the Minimum Wages. If the planters and government fail to implement it by then, the NUPW and other trade unions will go for greater movement,” Mr Chakravorty said.
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