Assam tea workers to get Rs.169 minimum daily wage

The government of Assam has fixed Rs.169 as the minimum daily wage for unskilled tea plantation workers in the state.

According to a statement from the state government, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has asked the commissioner and secretary of labour and employment to ensure the compliance.

The minimum wage will also be applicable for unskilled workers in other industries.

The Plantation Labour Act, 1951, which regulates the wages of tea-garden workers, their duty hours and the amenities, states that the management is supposed to provide housing, drinking water, education, health care, child care facilities, accident cover and protective equipment.

It has, however, met with criticism for lukewarm implementation.

Assam accounts for half of India's tea production and one sixth of the world's production. However, this month state-owned Tea Board of India reported a fall of 15.4 percent in the beverage yield.

Most of the workers in the state's tea industry are tribals from east, southeast and central India comprising the Mundas, Oraons, Gonds, Tantis, Kols and Kumhars communities.