19,000 tea workers block road

About 19,000 tea workers of 14 tea gardens of Duncan Industries Limited in Terai and Dooars areas blockaded NH 31 for eight hours today in support of various demands, including payment of two months' salaries.
Police said the tea workers launched the demonstration at 7 am at Birpara, which held up traffic in the Dooars area.
The workers demanded payment of salaries, which they claimed was due to them for two months, besides gratuity and provident fund.
They also alleged that they had not received rations for two months.
Md Rizwannur, the state deputy labour commissioner, when contacted told PTI that the meeting scheduled between Duncan Industries, the government and workers unions here today could not be held as the company informed that its representatives cannot come.

The rescheduled meeting would be held in Kolkata on May 4, he said.

He said the payment for two months due to the workers had been paid to them on April 17 and the distribution of ration started today.
"The government is trying to mediate and solve the workers' problems," he added.
Company officials when contacted in Kolkata, said, "We are talking to the administration and are hopeful of an early solution.