The staff and sub-staff of a tea estate in the Dooars resorted to ceasework on Wednesday, alleging delay in their salaries.

Around 80 staff and sub-staff of Nagaisuree, a tea estate in Matiali block of Jalpaiguri district, didn’t join duties on Wednesday.

“Usually, we get our salaries by the 10th of every month. This month, we haven't been paid till date (May 15). We have to run our families and meet various expenses, including educational expenses of our children,” said Deep Bhattacharya, a staff member.

Others like Biswasjit Das, Kamal Pradhan, Laxman Bhumij and Kishun Mahali said that unless the management paid them their salaries, they would not work.

“We have spoken with the garden’s manager and have made it clear that if the salaries are not paid immediately, we will not join our duties,” said Das.

Sources said a decline in tea production and prices over the past couple of months has landed the management of Nagaisuree in fund problems.

“Some other gardens in the Dooars are facing the same issue. If such a situation prevails, it will pose a question on the sustainability of these gardens,” said a senior tea planter in Siliguri.

Unlike the staff and sub-staff, the 1,450 tea workers of Nagaisuree have received their wages on time, said sources.

“The entire industry is in crisis. The management has been informed about the ceasework of employees. We hope the issue is resolved soon,” said a garden source.

Planters’ plea

The Indian Tea Planters’ Association (ITPA), an association of tea planters in north Bengal, has written to chief minister Mamata Banerjee, seeking financial aid for the brew belt.

“The north Bengal tea industry is in utter crisis due to production loss and price dip. Many tea estates are finding it tough to clear regular dues and a section of these are regulating working days,” said a source in ITPA.

“In such a situation, a financial package from the government is needed to help the industry tide over the crisis,” the source added.