Assam government hikes minimum wages for tea plantation workers

India – The Assamese government has increased the minimum wages of tea plantation workers in the state by Rs 27 per day, according to a notification issued by the state Labour welfare department. 

Workers in Brahmaputra and Barak Valley will receive a wage hike. As per the new order, tea plantation workers in Brahmaputra Valley will get an interim minimum wage of Rs 232 per day from the existing Rs 205 per day. The tea plantation workers in Barak Valley will get Rs 210 per day from the existing Rs183 per day.

The Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, had a meeting for the fixation of minimum wages for tea plantation workers with the stakeholders on August 10. He reportedly said, “Happy to share that in a meeting with tea associations, it was decided to hike the workers’ wage by Rs 27.” He further said, “All garden workers will get ration cards and we urged the gardens to take Fair Price Shop licenses.”

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In 2021, the state government hiked the daily wage of tea workers by Rs 38. The previous wage revision was done soon after Sarma became the chief minister of Assam. 

In Assam, tea workers’ wages are paid in two components: cash and other benefits like ration, health services, and education. For many years, tea garden workers have agitated for an increase in daily wages. People who work in private tea gardens even receive lesser salaries. 

Last year, workers in the Brahmaputra Valley demanded Rs 351 for their work. They said that they must receive higher pay amid the inflation. Reportedly, the rise in the prices of essential commodities because of inflation has compelled tea workers to consume wild vegetables. Their health is affected because of the consumption of wild vegetables.

Assam is among the world’s top tea-producing regions. The state produces around 400 million kgs of tea annually.