Hundreds of tea plantations in Assam's Brahmaputra Valley ground to a sudden halt on Wednesday as thousands of workers staged a coordinated one-hour flash strike. The protest, a powerful display of collective action, served as a stark "final warning" to the state government and garden managements over the long-delayed revision of wages and salaries.
A Valley Brought to a Standstill
The strike, orchestrated by the influential Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha (ACMS), saw operations cease across numerous estates. At the Rajabari Tea Estate in Moran, Dibrugarh, the scene was emblematic of the widespread discontent. Hundreds of workers and subordinate staff abandoned their tools, gathering at the main gates with placards and chanting slogans that denounced governmental apathy. Parallel demonstrations erupted in neighbouring gardens, amplifying the message.
The core demand is a significant increase in the daily wage for plantation workers, from the current Rs 250 to Rs 351. ACMS leaders argue that the existing rate is an affront to the labour behind the world-renowned Assam tea. They highlight the crushing impact of inflation on essentials like food, medicine, and fuel, making survival on the present earnings nearly impossible for worker families.
Beyond Daily Wages: Salaried Staff Join the Fray
The protest's scope extended beyond daily wage labourers, witnessing strong participation from monthly salaried subordinate staff. This group includes clerical and supervisory employees whose wage agreements have expired. The workers accuse the Consultative Committee of Plantation Associations (CCPA) and other owner bodies of failing to engage in fresh negotiations, leaving their financial futures in limbo despite expired contracts.
The mood was one of resolve and escalating urgency. Addressing a sit-in at Khumtai Tea Estate in Moranhat, senior ACMS leader Lakheshwar Tanti issued a stern ultimatum. He declared the hour-long strike merely a precursor, threatening a complete and unprecedented statewide shutdown of the tea industry if authorities continue to neglect their demands.
The Ball is in the Authorities' Court
Following the demonstrations, workers at Rajabari and other estates formalised their demands by submitting memorandums to garden managers. These documents are addressed to the state government and company headquarters, clearly placing the onus for the next move on the authorities and management.
The ACMS has framed this action as a decisive moment. With the memorandums delivered and the warning of intensified agitation made clear, the union asserts that the ball is now firmly in the court of the government and the CCPA. The industry watches to see if this flash strike will be the catalyst for negotiation or the beginning of a more severe and disruptive confrontation.
