Alipurduar, West Bengal – Tensions in the tea gardens of Alipurduar district escalated dramatically on Tuesday as a worker threatened suicide following the abrupt cancellation of wage negotiation talks, highlighting the deepening crisis over unpaid wages in North Bengal’s tea belt.
The incident occurred after the deputy labour commissioner of Alipurduar convened a meeting to address the ongoing dispute but called it off without resolution, leaving workers frustrated and desperate. Around 300 workers from a Marico-run estate had been protesting peacefully over non-payment of wages for several months, demanding immediate clearance of dues, bonuses, and allowances. This comes amid broader labor unrest in the Dooars region, where tea garden workers have been grappling with financial hardships exacerbated by delayed payments and inadequate welfare measures.
Protesters, organized under the banner of Chai Mazdoor Ekta Andolan, have been vocal about their plight, staging demonstrations and submitting memorandums to the Labour Department. One worker’s extreme threat of self-harm underscores the severity of the situation, with many families struggling to meet basic needs due to the wage backlog spanning up to five months in some gardens.
The protest has drawn political attention as West Bengal gears up for the 2026 Assembly elections. TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, during a recent rally in Alipurduar, promised to raise daily wages from ₹250 to ₹300 within a month if his party retains power, aiming to address healthcare, housing, and social security issues for tea workers. The BJP has criticized the state government, contrasting the unpaid wages with substantial allocations like ₹5,602 crore for madrasah education, calling for immediate intervention.
Local authorities have stepped in previously to mediate similar protests, with a state minister helping call off an earlier demonstration last week after assurances from management. However, with the latest escalation, workers are demanding written, time-bound commitments from Marico management to clear outstanding payments. The ongoing Dooars Utsav festival in the region has provided a backdrop to these events, amplifying calls for justice in the tea industry, which employs thousands in Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri districts.
As the wage dispute continues, it remains a flashpoint in North Bengal’s political landscape, potentially influencing voter sentiment in the tea-dominated constituencies. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely to prevent further unrest.
