BJP MP Raju Bista urges all stakeholders to reopen the Longview tea garden

The BJP leader also appealed to all stakeholders and the state government to ensure the reopening of tea gardens across the hills, Terai and the Dooars.

In a statement, he charged the West Bengal labour department with failing to iron out the controversial issue and keeping the garden open at a time when covid situation made life miserable for all sections of society.

He urged the labour department to force the management to implement the agreements signed in 2019 between tea garden owners and the workers so that pending dues are paid to the workers.

"A few tea gardens have failed to deposit their share of Provident Fund contributions, which has left the workers, especially in old age deprived of their savings and means of sustenance. It is both appalling and infuriating to note how through all of this, the Dept of Labour, Govt of WB has conveniently remained uninvolved in protecting the rights of the workers," Mr Bista alleged.

The BJP lawmaker said he has brought Longview garden crisis, failure to deposit PF contributions by some tea companies and other related issues to the attention of Union Minister of Labour and Employment Santosh Gangwar and Union Minister of Commerce  Piyush Goyal and sought their immediate intervention to help resolve the issues.

He also urged the Tea Board of India to investigate the reasons as to why the owners failed to deposit PF contributions and to ensure the due amount is deposited immediately.

Mr Bista also appealed to the state government to force the management for early payment of the dues to the workers.