Mamata Banerjee Denies Support for Darjeeling Tea Workers' 12-Hour Strike

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee refused to support a 12-hour strike by Darjeeling tea workers demanding a 20% bonus. The strike, called by trade unions, follows prolonged unmet demands. BJP's Raju Bista urged the CM to intervene to address workers' grievances.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday denied support to a 12-hour strike by trade unions demanding a 20 percent bonus for tea garden workers. She stated that she could not interfere as the Labour Commission was currently in a meeting with the unions.

"We do not support the strike. Whatever their demands are, they will discuss them in a meeting with the Labour Commission. I cannot interfere in this," Mamata Banerjee said. Meanwhile, Darjeeling MP and BJP spokesperson Raju Bista argued that the Chief Minister must intervene as workers had resorted to the strike due to the government's inaction.

"It is extremely unfortunate that the Chief Minister, who is in North Bengal, has refused to intervene in favor of the tea garden workers. Their 12-hour strike is not politically instigated but a desperate measure after the government ignored their demands," Bista remarked. Trade unions confirmed that the problem has been ongoing and that previous negotiations, including a recent meeting at Shramik Bhavan, yielded no solutions. The unions also noted broad political support for the strike.

Earlier this year, tea growers had also voiced dissatisfaction with the central government's efforts towards the industry's revival, particularly emphasizing the crisis faced by Darjeeling tea.

(With inputs from agencies.)