Duliajan: Activists of Bhadoi unit of Assam Tea Tribes Students' Association (ATTSA), in association with workers, staged a demonstration here on Friday in front of Mahabir tea estate, owned by Saharia Tea Company Limited at Duliajan in Dibrugarh district, demanding various benefits for the workers.

The protesters demanded 100 per cent local recruitment in the estate and its factory, release of provident fund to retired workers who are still deprived of their dues, promotion to workers and initiatives for those who are engaged at the newly set-up factory along with other issues.

President of ATTSA Prakash Sahu said: "The workers of Mahabir tea estate have been deprived of salaries, drinking water and a welfare officer for the workers."

He also alleged that the retired workers of the estate are yet to get provident fund benefits. He said the management of the tea estate never responds to worker's problems. They are engaged for the newly set-up tea factory, their salaries should be upgraded and given promotion, he added.

They also demanded initiatives for storing sufficient medicines in the estate's hospital, a creche for workers' children and safety of workers during spraying of insecticide.

After a four-hour demonstration, they submitted a memorandum with the manager of the tea estate and sent copies of it to the Dibrugarh deputy commissioner, superintendent of police, district assistant labour commissioner and Duliajan MLA Terosh Gowala.