DIBRUGARH, May 26 - The proposed mass hunger strike and plantation bandh, slated for May 30 and June 1 respectively, have been called off by the workers of the Assam Company India Limited-owned tea estates in the State following an assurance from the authorities concerned to resolve matters amicably.
The workers, led by Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha (ACMS), had launched a series of agitations in all the plantations of the Assam Company in protest against the alleged deprivation and negligence on the part of the planters with regard to the welfare of the workers.
The oldest plantation company has altogether 14 tea estates in Assam. The standard of living of the workers in these plantations is said to be deplorable. The ACMS recently staged demonstrations in the tea gardens of the company in a bid to persuade the authorities concerned to resolve the problems being faced by the workers.
ACMS leader Nabin Keot said that the authorities are willing to lend an ear to the grievances of the workers. �The planters are ready to sit with the representatives of the workers from each of the tea estates. Top bosses of the company will arrive from Kolkata to hold discussions with the agitating workers. We are hopeful that the problems in the plantations will be resolved. If there is no positive outcome, we will resume our agitation again,� Keot said.
Several workers in the Assam Company-owned tea estates have allegedly been deprived of gratuity and provident fund. The tea estates lack statutory facilities like proper drinking water, good education infrastructure, proper hygiene and sanitation, housing and health facilities, etc.
