Tea estate workers demand hike in wages

JHAPA, AUGUST 8: Workers in various tea estates in Jhapa district yesterday staged a protest at Kakadvitta, presenting a list of demands that includes an increase in their wages and their incorporation into the social security fund.

The workers, who are affiliated with various unions, are seeking an employment agreement, a contribution-based social security scheme, and an increase in the minimum wage for laborers, as per the Agriculture and Tea Estate Workers' Association.

Sai Kumar Rai, the central vice-chairperson of the association, highlighted the workers' plight, stating that they have not received their minimum wages for the past three years. In Jhapa district, there are over 70,000 workers employed in 132 small and 69 institutional estates, covering 10,000 hectares of land for tea plantation.

According to the Labour Act-2074 BS, workers are entitled to receive at least Rs 577 per day as wages. However, to the disappointment of the workers, they have been receiving only Rs 437 per day, as informed by Rai.

In consideration of inflation and rising living costs, the protesting workers are demanding a 20 per cent increase in their daily wages, along with benefits such as health service coverage and pensions for those who have been working for over 20 years.

Rai expressed the dire situation of tea workers, stating that they are struggling due to not receiving the wages and facilities set by the government.