HT Correspondent
DIBRUGARH, Aug 25: The All Assam Small Tea Grower’s Association (AASTGA) on Thursday expressed their resentment over the hiking of the daily wages of workers up to Rs 232.
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“Without any discussion with us, the government has hiked the daily wage of workers up to Rs 232. An amount of Rs 27 was hiked in the recent notification issued by the government of Assam. Earlier it was given Rs 205 but suddenly the government hiked the wages,” a press release issued by AASTGA stated.
Rubul Hatibaruah, president of AASTGA said, “Without discussing with us, the government has hiked the daily wage of workers working at small tea gardens. The government should fix the minimum support price of green tea leaves. In Dibrugarh, the small tea growers are getting Rs 14 to Rs 30 for 1 kilo green tea leaves. There should be a fixed amount then we have no issue to raise the wages of the workers.”
“The production cost of 1 kilo green tea leaves is Rs 22.74 then how can small tea growers survive. The small tea growers are the backbone of the tea industry in Assam. We want the government to rethink the issue and within 30 days they should hold a discussion with us.”
On the other hand, Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha (ACMS), the frontline organisation of the tea workers, on Wednesday in a press conference welcomed the government decision to raise the daily wage of workers.
ACMS president Paban Singh Ghatowar also demanded a social security scheme for the workers of small tea growers.
