GUWAHATI, June 17 � In a development that could soon take shape of a major policy decision, the minimum cash wage of tea garden workers in the State could be soon given a hike by at least Rs 15.
After six rounds of discussion, the sub-committee of the Minimum Wages Advisory Board that was constituted to look into the minimum wage issue and suggest a structure, today submitted its report proposing a hike between Rs 15 and Rs 20, top State government officials told The Assam Tribune.
As per the recommendations which are yet to be made public, the minimum cash wage of a tea garden labourer, both permanent and temporary, would now be not less than Rs 130 subject to final approval of the Advisory Board.
�The sub-committee headed by the Commissioner and Secretary of Labour department, after looking into all the components of the wage structure, suggested that the minimum wage for both the permanent and temporary workers would also be identical. Possibility of any changes on the recommendations is very less,� sources told this reporter requesting anonymity.
Significantly, as per the suggestion made by the committee, even the temporary workers would now be eligible for three units of ration like the permanent ones. Further, the temporary workers would now also be eligible for equal share of dry tea and firewood like that of the permanent workers.
The Minimum Wages Advisory Board was constituted by the State government last year with the State Chief Secretary as its head to address the growing outrage over minimum wage for tea garden labourers.
