Workers’ Union Wants West Bengal to Implement SOP for Abandoned Tea Gardens

• Paschim Banga Cha Majoor Samity (PBCMS) urges West Bengal government to implement the newly notified SOP for abandoned tea gardens.

• The SOP was created in November this year, requiring certain conditions for companies before taking over operations at abandoned gardens.

• Workers of PBCMS met with the State Labour Commissioner and sought for the implementation of the SOP.

• PBCMS president, Kirsen Kharia, criticized the persistent wage delays and non-payment of wages, leading to financial despair for workers and the exploitation of retired workers and dependents.

• The union representatives expressed anger against a company that runs over a dozen gardens in north Bengal, claiming that the condition of workers has only deteriorated after the company’s management took over.