Darjeeling Hills Tea Garden Workers

I was going through these two receipts from Reliance Smart and could not stop thinking and writing about the plight of our Darjeeling’s tea garden workers and their ongoing demand for 20% Puja bonus.

Here I find, in just 8 days, the price of Dhara Kachi Ghani Mustard Oil (2* 5L Can) 𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 Rs 𝟏𝟓𝟓𝟏 𝐨𝐧 𝟏𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 to Rs 𝟏𝟕𝟎𝟖 𝐨𝐧 𝟐𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒.

This 𝟏𝟎% 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 in such a short span demonstrates the relentless impact of inflation on essential goods, and for the tea garden laborers, who earn modest wages, these increases make daily life increasingly difficult.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬:

• On 18th September 2024, mustard oil cost Rs 𝟏𝟓𝟓.𝟏𝟎 𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐫𝐞
• By 26th September 2024, that price had increased to Rs 𝟏𝟕𝟎.𝟖𝟎 𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐫𝐞

That’s an increase of Rs 𝟏𝟓.𝟕𝟎 𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐫𝐞 in just over a week, a significant rise for those already struggling to make ends meet.

Impact on Darjeeling’s Tea Garden Laborers:

For the tea garden laborers earning Rs 𝟐𝟓𝟎 𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐲, this price rise is devastating. Imagine working all day only to find that 𝟏 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐢𝐥, now priced at Rs 𝟏𝟕𝟏, consumes more than 𝐭𝐰𝐨-𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐠𝐞. For families living on the edge of poverty, every rupee counts. The rising cost of essentials like oil means less money for food, education, healthcare, and other critical needs.

I stand in full solidarity with our tea garden workers as they fight for a 𝟐𝟎% 𝐏𝐮𝐣𝐚 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐬. This demand is not only fair but necessary in light of the increasing cost of living. Despite three rounds of discussions, the management and garden owners have offered only 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝟏𝟐%, which is simply not enough to address the economic pressures our workers face.

For tea garden workers, this bonus is not a luxury. It is a critical means of survival. It provides some financial breathing room during the festival season, allowing them to manage additional expenses and keep their families afloat.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐡 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞:

Our tea garden workers earn Rs 𝟐𝟓𝟎 𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐲, laboring tirelessly in difficult conditions to produce the world-renowned Darjeeling Tea. Yet, despite their immense contributions to the industry, their wages remain stagnant while prices for basic commodities soar. This inflationary pressure puts an even greater strain on their already stretched finances.

As a known fact the 𝟐𝟎% 𝐏𝐮𝐣𝐚 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐬 would not only offer them a measure of relief but also acknowledge their hard work and dedication. The laborers are the backbone of the Darjeeling tea industry. Without them, this globally respected product would not exist, and they deserve to be compensated fairly for their efforts.

It is time for the management and owners of Darjeeling’s tea gardens to recognize the contributions of their workers and meet their demand for a 20% Puja Bonus. These workers are not just employees; they are the lifeblood of the tea estates. Their tireless labor ensures the continued success and prestige of Darjeeling Tea on the world stage.

In my opinion, their request for a 𝟐𝟎% 𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐬 is more than justified. It is a matter of fairness, dignity, and survival. They deserve to live and work with the assurance that their efforts are valued and that they can provide for their families, especially during the festival season.

Their voices deserve to be heard, and their demands must be met. Let us not forget that behind every cup of Darjeeling Tea is the hard work and sacrifice of these men and women. They deserve nothing less than respect, fair wages, and the 𝟐𝟎% 𝐏𝐮𝐣𝐚 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐬 they are asking for.

It is my hope that the management and garden owners will listen to the voices of their workers and take this opportunity to show compassion and fairness. By agreeing to the 𝟐𝟎% 𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐬, they will not only help alleviate the immediate financial pressures but also foster goodwill and mutual respect, ensuring a more sustainable and harmonious future for the tea industry.

I remain optimistic that through continued dialogue and understanding, the workers’ demands will be met, bringing much-needed relief to their families during the festive season. May this outcome signal a brighter, more equitable future for all those who contribute to the legacy of Darjeeling Tea.

Writes – R Lama