Trade unions of workers in tea gardens have started fresh demonstrations demanding fixing of minimum wages and land rights after the new plucking season began last week.

On February 18, the Trinamul-backed tea union demonstrated in gardens. On Monday (February 24), the Joint Forum held gate meetings in gardens. The planters expressed concern over the demonstrations at the beginning of the new season.

“Such moves by the trade unions have left us worried as the season has just commenced. The industry here is already beleaguered with problems, prominent among which is non-remunerative return of the produce.If the workforce gets into such activities at the beginning of the season, it would be a fresh problem for the industry,” said Prabir Bhattacharjee, secretary general, Tea Association of India.