Impassive Mamata Banerjee Faces Tea Garden Workers' Strike in Darjeeling

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee refused to intervene in the tea garden workers' strike over bonus disputes in Darjeeling. Workers demand a 20% bonus, while management offers 13%. The Labour Commissioner holds a tripartite meeting to resolve the issue. Banerjee calls the impasse a result of political disturbances.

In Darjeeling, tea garden workers initiated a 12-hour general strike over a bonus dispute, as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee refrained from intervening.

Banerjee attributed the impasse to political disturbances, maintaining that the Labour Commissioner is handling the resolution efforts through a tripartite meeting.

The workers are steadfast in their demand for a 20% bonus, while managers have proposed 13%, causing a deadlock. Banerjee indicated that a recent 16% bonus resolution for Terai and Dooars may provide hope for a similar outcome in the Hills, despite the prolonged financial challenges faced by the tea industry.

(With inputs from agencies.)