Assam govt cancels notification enhancing tea garden workers' daily wages by Rs 50

Guwahati, May 28: The Assam Government has cancelled its earlier notification that had increased daily wage of tea garden workers in the State by Rs. 50, which was yet to be implemented due to a court stay order.

The Labour Welfare department, through a notification on May 26 last, has cancelled its earlier notification of February 23 this year, which had enhanced the daily wage of tea garden workers in Assam by an amount of Rs. 50.

While cancelling the earlier notification, the Department has also formed a committee under provisions of Section 5 (1) (a) of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, with its Assam amendment vide the Assam Act, 1964, Section 2 effective from August 11, 1964, for 'fixing and revisiting minimum wages' for the tea garden workers.

The previous notification was yet to be implemented as it was challenged by tea associations in the Gauhati High Court the same day, with the Court staying the notification.

The petitioners had contended before the Court that no committee/ sub-committee, as required under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, had been formed before deciding on increasing the daily wage.

Meanwhile, a meeting between Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma and employers' and employees' representatives is scheduled here later today to discuss the matter of daily wages for the tea garden workers.