Wages of tea garden workers hiked at 16 pc, Tinku Roy

The minimum daily wage for tea garden workers in Tripura has been increased and now, daily wage for permanent workers hiked to Rs. 204 from existing Rs. 176 and for temporary workers (non-adult workers) to Rs 102 from Rs. 88.

Addressing a press conference at Civil Secretariat in Agartala on Friday afternoon, Labour Minister Tinku Roy along with others said that the revised wages will be effective from April of the present financial year.

He said that this is the highest wage increase so far by the department and the wages of tea workers was amended in January, 2018 last.

Minister said that the state government had constituted a 10 members sub-committee headed by MLA of 46-Surma assembly constituency, Swapna Das and the committee was tasked with analyzing relevant data to help determine the new wage rates. It was also asked to consult with all stakeholders before finalizing the wage structure. Accordingly, the sub-committee held a key meeting on May 28, 2025 to finalize the proposed revised wage rates. The sub-committee thoroughly reviewed all relevant aspects and recommended a 16% wage hike. Accepting this recommendation, the state government approved the increase in minimum wages for tea workers.

At the press conference, Minister Roy further stated that after the present state government assumed office, several steps have been taken to improve the living conditions of tea workers. These include better housing, water supply, sanitation, electricity, etc. The state has distributed house Patta (land ownership documents)  to 3,166 out of 6,585 tea worker families .These measures are part of the government’s broader goal to improve the livelihoods of tea garden workers.

The Minister also said that around 15,000 tea workers are currently employed in the state’s tea industry.

The Chairman of the Tripura Tea Development Corporation, Samir Ranjan Ghosh, mentioned that the new wage structure was finalized with input from the tea workers’ representatives.