Hattikhira Tea Estate to reopen after 6 months of lock out

March 4: The Hattikhira Tea Estate in Karimganj district of Assam is in a state of lock out from the past 6 months. However, a letter written by the Assistant Labour Commissioner to the Deputy Commissioner, Karimganj stated that the lock out will be lifted on Wednesday after Government prohibits the continuance of lock out declared by the management’ of the Tea Estate.

In the said letter, it was stated by the Assistant Labour Commissioner, “The Government of Assam has issued Prohibitory order vide Government Notification No GI.R.38/2020/3, dated the 28th February, 2020 in respect of the Hattikhira Tea Estate. P.O.  Hattikhira, Dist. Karimganj, Assam. In this context, I would like to request you kindly to help this office with Magistrate and Police personnel to accompany us during the procedure for lifting up of the lock- out in the Hattikhira Tea Estate on the 4th March. 2020 at 1030 A M.”

As per reports, the Hattikhira Tea Estate is in lock out stage from past 6 months, after management denied special bonus to the workers, which the latter were demanding. This led to a stand-off between the management and the labourers, which ultimately culminated in lock out. The lockout was declared by the garden management on September 26, 2019, after the labourers started agitating for payment of Puja bonus at the rate of 14 per cent against the authorities’ decision to pay 8.33 per cent. The 100-year-old garden, 40km from Karimganj town, has 1,200 labourers and covers around 500 square metres.