Major tea industries in Assam declared puja bonus for the workers at around 20 per cent.
In a report published by The Assam Tribune, the English daily quoted general secretary of Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha, Dileshwar Tanti, saying that inspite of the tea industry incurring losses this financial year due to unfavourable weather conditions, the major tea industries in the state have declared puja bonus.
It was learnt that McLeod Russel India Ltd, which owns the highest number of 48 tea plantations in Assam, has agreed to disburse 20 per cent bonus to its workers.
Similarly, managements of James Warren Tea Limited, Rossel Tea India Limited, Jay Shree Tea & Industries Limited, The Jorehaut Tea Limited, MK Shah Export Limited, MK Jokai Agri Plantations Private Limited, Silonibari Tea Company Limited and Dufflating Tea Estate have agreed to pay 20 per cent bonus; the Assam Tribune report added.
The report further stated that many tea companies are yet to finalize the bonus percentage while Dolahat Tea Estate will pay 15 per cent bonus.
Others who are in discussion to figure out the bonus percentage includes the Assam Company, Andrew Yule, Apeejay Tea Limited, Goodricke, TATA’s Amalgamated Plantations, MK Tea Company Private Limited and Jokai plantations.
The final bonus percentage issue should be resolved by September 6.
Last year too, the major tea companies announced 20 per cent Durga Puja bonus.
Assam has around 850 large and medium-sized tea gardens which employ around 8 lakh workers.
The payment of bonus to industrial employees is mandatory under the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965. It says employees who earn up to Rs 10,000 per month have to be paid bonus at a minimum rate of 8.33 per cent and a maximum of 20 per cent, on the basis of the employers’ earnings in the previous fiscal.
