DIBRUGARH, Nov 6 - The All Adivasi Students� Association of Assam (AASAA) and the Chah Shramik Mukti Sangram Sammittee (CSMSS) on Thursday staged separate demonstrations in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner here to press for higher wages for tea garden workers across the State.
The two organisations who are opposed to the recent wage hike agreement signed between the planters body and the Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha (ACMS) said that the agreement of Rs 43 increase for the coming three years is too little as it does not even comply with the Minimum Wage Act. AASAA has demanded that the daily wage hike of Rs 177 proposed by the Wage Advisory Board must be welcomed and implemented.
They have demanded that the wage agreement signed by the ACMS and planters body be revoked.
The Adivasi students� body, which has been spearheading campaign since past one and a half year for wage hike of more than Rs 300 have questioned how the tea industry in Kerala could afford to pay wages of Rs 254. They said that the tea garden workers community has been toiling for nearly 157 years for the profit hungry planters but they have been neglected in all spheres. AASAA submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister through the Deputy Commissioner, highlighting their grievances.
The Chah Shramik Mukti Sangram Sammittee also urged the authorities to implement the wage hike of Rs 177 as proposed by the Wage Advisory Board. They submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner here.
Our Tinsukia Correspondent adds: The Tinsukia District Committee of AASAA staged a dharna in front of the Deputy Commissioner�s office complex here on Thursday demanding implementation of minimum daily wages for the tea workers at Rs 177.19 as fixed by the State Government immediately.
It further demanded that facility to enjoy leave with salary should be continued and the community be accorded the ST status. The agitationists also condemned the treaty between the planters� organisation, the CCPA and Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha (ACMS) by which the daily wage for the tea workers had been fixed at Rs 115 and demanded withdrawal of the treaty.
