Six Months Unpaid: Tea Workers’ Protest Mounts at Dooars Kanya, Alipurduar

Alipurduar, West Bengal —

Hundreds of tea garden workers from multiple estates in the Dooars have been protesting in front of Dooars Kanya, Alipurduar, demanding justice for unpaid wages. The protest is said to be an independent movement organised by the workers themselves and local labour groups. It is not led by any political party. They are pressing for overdue payments and clarity on timelines from the Merico Group, which runs several local plantations.

Workers say that in some gardens operated by Merico, wages have been pending for several fortnights. There are many statutory dues, including bonuses and allowances, that remain unpaid. Tea workers have protested over delayed wages and defaults frequently. These protests have been widely documented across multiple estates in Alipurduar. The broader Dooars region has also seen such events in recent months.

Labour Official Says Matter Isn’t Under Their Control

A delegation of agitating workers approached the Deputy Labour Commissioner (DLC) to report their grievances and seek immediate help. According to workers, the DLC responded that the issue “is not under their direct control” and advised them to take the matter to the District Magistrate (DM) of Alipurduar for a proper directive.

Protestors criticised this response, saying it reflects “administrative inaction” that prolongs their hardship. Workers said they had expected more direct intervention from labour authorities to enforce compliance with wage laws.

Tripartite Meeting Delays Frustrate Workers

The repeated postponement of a tripartite meeting has been a major point of contention. This meeting involves tea garden management, labour department officials, and worker representatives. Therefore, it is meant to discuss phased wage release and address longstanding disputes.

Binay Kerketta, a member of the Tea Workers Association, emphasised the workers’ growing desperation. “We were told a tripartite meeting would be held to work out a payment schedule. But it keeps being postponed,” he said. “We have no official date, no clear communication, and no idea when it will happen. We just want clarity.”

Kerketta further added that workers are not demanding all six months’ wages at once. “We understand the gardens may face financial issues, but at least give us a specific schedule — when payments will begin and how they will be released in parts,” he said. “Without that, we can’t support our families.”

Growing Hardship on the Ground

The absence of regular pay has pushed many workers and their families into deep financial distress. Therefore, several participants reported borrowing money to buy food, skipping medical care, and withdrawing children from school. At the protest site, volunteers and local supporters have been bringing food, water and blankets to assist demonstrators, especially women and elderly workers.

Tea worker protests over unpaid wages have occurred repeatedly this year across multiple Merico-run plantations, including sit-in demonstrations in front of labour offices in Birpara and other towns, where workers have similarly demanded unpaid dues and statutory entitlements.

Activist Support and Independent Voice

Trade Union activist Anuradha Talwar, associated with tea workers’ rights groups, visited the Dooars Kanya protest and criticised the ongoing delay. “Workers have been left in limbo for far too long. They deserve a clear plan and justice,” she said. She further added to take their appeal to the High Court if needed.

Organisers insist the protest is independent, driven by workers’ needs for immediate economic relief rather than political direction. They say they want accountability from the Merico management and decisive involvement from the district administration.

As the protest at Dooars Kanya enters its third day, workers say they will continue their sit-in until a confirmed wage payment schedule is provided, reflecting months of mounting frustration and economic strain for hundreds of families in the Dooars tea belt.