Assam tea workers protest over delayed bonuses

Tea garden workers in Assam have staged protests against Andrew Yule & Company, demanding the immediate announcement and payment of a customary 20 per cent annual bonus. Demonstrations took place at several estates, including Basmatia, Tingkhong, and Rajgarh, with employees seeking payment before October 5 to coincide with the upcoming Durga Puja festivities.

In response to the seasonal demand, the Assam government has issued directives to tea associations and district commissioners, requesting that garden managements disburse annual bonuses on or before October 5. The state's Labour Welfare Department emphasized that timely payments are essential for maintaining industrial harmony and noted that while the Code on Wages, 2019, provides specific timelines, it is long-standing practice in the region to complete disbursements before the festival begins.