The management of Kohinoor tea estate in Alipurduar district issued a pre-lockout notice on Monday, saying the garden would have to be closed down if workers continued with their demonstrations.

The garden has 888 permanent workers who have been holding demonstrations regularly since August 10 against the management’s alleged failure to deposit provident fund collected from them in the past 23 months.

“The workers might have some issues but those can be discussed through trade unions at different forums. Tea production is getting affected in the garden at a time we need to work sincerely as there have been losses because of the lockdown and inclement weather,” said a management representative.

“If such a situation persists, there would be no other option but to take stern steps. It has been made clear that the notice that has been served can be considered as a pre-lockout notice,” he added.

Tea trade unions, however, said the tea company had collected the share of provident fund from the workers on a regular basis but not a penny had been deposited with the PF authorities in the past 23 months.

“In January this year, the management had assured us that the deposits would be made but there has been no change in the situation till date. That is why the workers have launched protests but every day, after the demonstrations, they are joining their work. The management is just trying to evade its responsibility,” said Bidyut Gun, a leader of the Citu-backed Cha Bagan Mazdoor Union.

On Monday, over 1,000 workers demonstrated on the Rahimabad tea estate, demanding payment of provident fund and gratuity.