Labour trouble brews in Munnar tea plantation as talks fail

The labourers complained that they were being made to toil for 12 hours a day for a meagre Rs. 240.

Kochi, Kerala, 10/09/15 : Munnar strike . Photo : Special Arrangement

As talks for ironing out a solution to the ongoing tea plantation labour agitation in Munnar failed to reach a consensus on Thursday, it was decided to continue to the discussions on Sunday.

Labour Department sources told The Hindu here that the government did not have an immediate solution in sight to end the agitation. Representatives of the agitating labourers who participated in the deliberations held at the behest of Labour Minister Shibu Baby John here, complained that recognised trade unions which were active in the sector, had failed to protect their interests and were also abetting the management to move against them. The labourers complained that they were being made to toil for 12 hours a day for a meagre wage of Rs. 240 a day. They also have complaints about the basic amenities offered by the management. This alleged trust deficit has become a major hindrance in carrying forward the discussions.

Bonus rate

Bonus rate for the workers was finalised on the basis of the company’s financial performance in the previous years.

Thus, during the previous two years, the management distributed 17 per cent and 19 per cent respectively. The current demand is to enhance the bonus to 20 per cent. The Kanan Devan Company’s argument was that it had recorded a profit of Rs.15 crore last year and hence gave 19 per cent bonus. Now, the profit dipped to Rs.5 crore and would be able to give only 10 per cent.

The labourers are unwilling to buy this argument and have gone on strike. The dilemma of the Labour Department is that it can hold discussions only with an organisation and not with individuals.

Strike intensifies

PTI adds from Munnar: At least 10,000 women tea plantation workers in Idukki, who are on strike for the past five days demanding hike in wages, on Thursday intensified their agitation by blocking roads. The blockade caused severe traffic snarls in the high range.

Protesters, who are in the forefront of the strike have kept trade unions at bay. They said they would continue their agitation until their demands for hike in wages and 20 per cent bonus were met by the plantation management. “Till our demands are met, we will continue the agitation and strengthen it even if it takes a month or 60 days,” a worker said.