(a)whether the labourers working in the tea gardens get wages as per the Plantation Act;
(b)if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(c)whether such tea garden workers in the country get very low wages and are deprived of social security cover and if so, the reasons therefor and the reaction of the Government thereto; and
(d)the various welfare schemes implemented particularly for tea garden workers in the country including Assam and West Bengal?
MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)
(a) to (d): The wages of the labourers working in the tea gardens are being decided as per the provisions of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 (11 of 1948).
Further, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry has informed that the tea garden workers are paid wages as per the negotiated agreement reached through a process of collective bargaining between the producer associations and workers unions. The prevailing daily wages being paid to the workers in different States are as under:
Sl. No. Name of the state Existing Basic Wage rate (Rs.) Other/Fringe benefits in terms of Rupees as understood from different Tea Associations
1 Assam a) Assam valley-115.00
b) Cachar-100.00 a) Rs.109.89 which includes food grain, dry tea, fuel, housing, education facilities, medical, maternity benefit, P.F., Gratuity, bonus etc.
b) Rs.95.03 which includes all above as at (a) above.
Contd..2/-
:: 2 ::
2 West Bengal 122.50 a) Dooars- Rs.117.05 which includes all above as at sl. No.1.
b) Terai- Rs.114.15 which includes all above as at sl. No.1.
c) Darjeeling-Rs.121.94 which includes all above as at sl. No.1.
3 Tamil Nadu 230.03 173.92 which includes all above as at sl. No.1.
4 Kerala 301.00 N.A.
5 Karnataka 247.95
6 Himachal Pradesh a)Permanent worker -180.00+12%PF
b) Temporary worker - 180.00+ Sunday Free housing, electricity, water etc.
7. Tripura 71.00 Rs.64.0994 which includes all above as at sl. No.1.
Various initiatives have been taken by the Government, through Tea Board, during the XII Plan Period, which includes, holding meetings with the State Governments & Tea Boards & emphasizing on including all tea growing areas under the flagship scheme for social welfare; requesting State Governments to cancel the lease of land for closed tea garden & identifying new lessees for managing the garden; request the State Governments, including West Bengal, for deputing nodal officers to cooperate in formulating revival package for closed tea garden and payment of Rs. 3000/- to the wards of workers in closed tea estate by the Tea Board under Tea Development & Promotion Scheme. For revival of closed Tea Garden in the State of West Bengal & Assam several meetings have been held between Central Government, Governments of both States & Tea Boards.
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