Give 20 percent bonus to Tea Labourers: KMSS

The Krishak MuktiSangram Samiti (KMSS) chief Akhil Gogoi on Monday demanded that the tealabourers should have a bonus of 20 percent instead of 8.33 percent.

Addressing a press conference here today, Gogoi said that the bonus of 8.33 percent is an injustice to the tea labourers. It is an injustice to the tea workers. "The BJP and RSS want to take away the money of tea workers which they received a bonus of Rs. 5000 in their account. This government only works for the owners of the tea estate and the ministers will not be able to run for even one day with a years salary of tea labourers," said Akhil.

He further saidthat at a time when the government should compel the owners to provide thebonus to the tea labourers which they deserve, the government only deprived thelabourers from getting their desired amount.

The BJP governmentonly wants to do politics with the tea labourers, said Akhil adding that thetea gardens are not running at a loss. He said that the ministers of Assam arebuying new tea gardens and that as the ministers are the owners of the teagardens, therefore, the government is supporting the owners.