The management of Chengmari tea estate — the largest in north Bengal — in the Nagrakata block of Jalpaiguri district announced suspension of work in the plantation on Wednesday.
A section of workers had been creating problems which were leading to disruption in regular activities, the management representatives said.
Tea trade unions, however, criticised the decision and demanded immediate reopening of the garden that closed down operations at the commencement of a new tea season.
Sources said some senior workers, who had been functioning as “sardars” (group leaders), were asked by the management to work as “chowkidars” (security guards). This had left the workers disgruntled and they had registered their protests against the decision.
On Tuesday, the workers, under the banner of Cha Bagan Trinamul Congress Mazdoor Union, held a meeting at the garden on the issue. Later on Tuesday night, they realised that most of the managerial employees had left the garden.
“On Wednesday night, as the workers went to join their duties, they found that the factory is closed and the management has announced suspension of work. We condemn the decision and want the district administration and the state labour department to take necessary steps,” said Manoj Munda, the local panchayat member of Chengmari.
He mentioned that a few days back, they had spoken with the management representatives who had assured that the issue would be discussed in a bipartite meeting. “Instead, they announced suspension of work,” alleged Munda.
Chengmari, which has a plantation area spread across 1,500 hectares, employs around 5,000-odd workers.
Back in 2018, the garden had closed down in a similar manner but was later opened through tripartite talks initiated by the state labour department.
As the news spread, workers assembled near a local club. They discussed the issue and demanded that the management should replace the manager.
Kamalesh Kumar Jha, the manager, however, has denied the charges.
“We were abiding by all the decisions made through tripartite talks. However, a section of workers were not following the rules and creating tension in the gardens. They were even intercepting temporary workers who are engaged during the peak season which eventually was affecting the production. In such a situation, we had no option but to announce suspension of work,” said Jha.
Senior officials of Jalpaiguri district administration, when asked about the closure of Chengmari, said appropriate initiatives would be taken immediately to expedite reopening of the garden.
“Officials of the state labour department and the block administration would be asked to look into the issue,” an official said.