Jalpaiguri, West Bengal – The management of Raja Tea Estate in Mal, Jalpaiguri district, has claimed in a public notice that it is suspending all operations effective from January 24, 2026, due to what they describe as severe financial burdens and disruptions in work culture.
According to the notice issued by the estate management on January 23, 2026, they express “deep anguish” over alleged “indiscipline, gradual and continued erosion of work culture, and growing propensities of law and order” among workers. The management further claims the estate has been facing a prolonged financial crisis over the last several years, attributed to unfavorable climatic conditions, unprecedented pest and disease attacks, falling market prices of tea, and poor soil yield worsened by rampant cattle trespassing.
The notice states that unauthorized and illegal absenteeism by workmen has led to poor quality leaf harvesting and manufacturing, resulting in aggravated losses. The management alleges that workers are not adhering to plucking and harvesting duties, which has impacted pest and disease control. They also highlight an “abnormal increase” in input costs coupled with unremunerative prices, rendering the estate economically unviable.
During the suspension period, the management has declared that no wages, salaries, bonuses, or provident funds will be paid, adhering to the principle of “No Work No Pay.” They claim to have resorted to hiring pluckers from distant villages at higher costs due to local workers’ reduced hours and poor performance, but assert that even this measure has failed to improve the situation.
The notice, signed by the estate manager, has been copied to various authorities, including the District Magistrate of Jalpaiguri, Sub Divisional Officer of Mal, Block Development Officer of Jalpaiguri, Assistant Labour Commissioner of North Bengal Zone, and trade unions such as CITU, INTUC, and others.
This announcement affects hundreds of workers and their families in the Dooars region, where tea estates are a primary source of employment. Local labor unions have not yet issued a public response. The claims raise concerns over livelihoods amid ongoing challenges in the tea industry, including climate impacts and market volatility.
The Raja Tea Estate, located in the Village-Dooars area, is among several gardens in North Bengal grappling with similar issues, according to industry reports. Authorities may intervene to mediate between the management and workers. Further developments are awaited as the suspension begins tomorrow.
