Siliguri, Oct. 3: Representatives of some north Bengal tea trade unions have alleged that managers of at least four tea estates in the Dooars have “fled” their gardens in the past few days after failing to arrange for bonus payments.

The gardens include Atiabari, Mechpara, Dima and Raimatang.

As a result, the workers at these gardens are now caught between the “uncaring” management attitude and a “rudderless” movement to press their rights.

Trade union leaders alleged that the garden managers have fled as they are not in a position to arrange for the bonus payments.

At a recent meeting in Calcutta, attended by the trade union representatives and the apex body of the planters’ associations, it was decided that the garden managements would have to make the minimum stautory bonus payments according to provisions of the Bonus Act 1965.

It was agreed that tea workers would be getting at least 8.33 per cent as bonus this year.

“We fail to understand the attitude of the garden managers and the logic behind leaving the estates. At Atiabari, the managers decided to leave the garden on October 2. This is because they shied away from facing the workers on the crucial bonus issue. We cannot accept the fact that the management is not in a position to make the bonus payments right now. It is a sad time for the workers. The Mechapara tea estate alone has a workforce of around 1,500. Similarly at Dima and Raimatang, the management was found guilty of dragging its feet on the bonus issue,” said Samir Roy of the West Bengal Cha Mazdoor Sabha, an apex body of tea trade unions.

Echoing him, West Bengal Cha Sramik Union general secretary Kalyan Roy said: “The situation could spin out of control if the garden managements continue to drag their feet on the bonus issue. The shootout at the Assam tea garden is a typical case of discontent among the labourers. Neither the garden managers nor the government can afford to play with the sentiments of the workers.”

Samir Roy said: “We are planning to request the garden managements to treat the workers’ cases with due sincerity after the Pujas.”

The management, however, has a different view of the situation.

“The condition in these gardens is unfavourable and the managers have cited labour unrest as the reason behind the problems plaguing the estates. This is hampering smooth functioning of the gardens,” said an office-bearer of a Dooars planters' association, who did not want to be named.