DIBRUGARH, Oct 9 - The Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha (ACMS) has come down heavily on Pallab Lochan Das, former Labour Minister and present BJP MP, for allegedly questioning the logic behind the demand for Rs 351 wage hike of tea garden workers, especially when all plantation-based organisations are unanimously demanding wage hike as per the Aykroyd formula.
In a statement, ACMS expressed surprise that BJP MP Das, a member of the tea garden community, is not in favour of the toiling tea garden workers. His statement is proof that BJP stands against the tea garden workers and further testifies that they have bowed down before the planters, ACMS general secretary Rupesh Goalla pointed out.
ACMS reminded the BJP MP that the party had printed in its last election manifesto about increasing the wage of the plantation workers to Rs 350 and that the party was engaged in a campaign in this regard.
Moreover, the Minimum Wage Advisory Committee formed in the State with Pallab Lochan Das as its chairman had proposed a wage of Rs 351.33 for the tea garden workers in 2018.
Das was himself the Labour and Employment Minister then, Goalla mentioned and further said the BJP leader is now indulging in double standards.
