On August 22, 2025, Partha Pratim Biswas, the Additional Labour Commissioner, North Bengal Zone, Government of West Bengal, issued an advisory directing all tea estates in the region to pay a 20% bonus to workers for the financial year 2024–2025.
The directive states that if an employee’s salary crosses the eligibility threshold as per the Payment of Bonus Act, they must still be considered eligible, with the ceiling remaining unchanged from last year. The advisory mandates that bonus payments be disbursed on or before September 15, 2025, and calls upon both management and trade unions to maintain peace, discipline and harmony in the tea gardens. The Labour Commissionerate will closely monitor compliance.
This move follows persistent concerns raised by political leaders and workers’ representatives over the recurring disputes surrounding bonus disbursement. Every year, uncertainty and delays had sparked unrest, particularly before the Puja season, when workers depend on this payment to celebrate with dignity. Last year, the hills and Terai witnessed major disturbances over the issue, but this year’s proactive intervention by the Labour Department has paved the way for an amicable settlement.
Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) Chief Executive Anit Thapa had earlier written to Moloy Ghatak, Minister-in-Charge of the Labour Department, on August 18, 2025, pressing for a fair resolution. In his meeting with the minister in Kolkata, he strongly advocated for a 20% bonus for Darjeeling tea garden workers, citing the rising cost of living and the workers’ crucial role in sustaining the globally acclaimed Darjeeling tea industry.
Thapa argued that tea workers, despite their relentless contribution, are forced each year into agitation simply to secure their rightful dues. He emphasized that setting a clear benchmark of 20% bonus would prevent recurring unrest. “Why must workers be compelled to agitate every year for what is rightfully theirs? I argued firmly for a 20% benchmark with the Labour Minister, and he agreed that the demand is justified. Workers must receive 20% bonus,” Thapa stated.
He further assured that with the government’s advisory now in place, workers will no longer have to resort to strikes, sit-ins, or demonstrations. “Diplomacy means resolving issues before they erupt into agitation. This directive proves that workers will indeed get 20% bonus this year, and there is no need for unrest in the hills or the gardens,” he remarked, addressing both trade unions and the community.
In the advisory, the Labour Department reiterated that:
-
20% bonus is to be paid to all tea garden workers in Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kalimpong, Terai and Dooars for FY 2024–25.
-
Workers whose salaries exceed the eligibility limit must still be paid bonus as if the limit had not been crossed.
-
Bonus must be paid by September 15, 2025.
-
Management and unions are urged to maintain peace, harmony and discipline.
-
Monitoring of compliance will be conducted by the Labour Commissionerate.
The order makes it clear that the onus now lies with tea garden management to execute the directive in time. While some trade unions had earlier opposed Thapa’s demand for a flat 20% rate, the official notification has set the matter to rest. The rate of bonus for tea workers in Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong hills was 16% for the accounting year 2023–24, 19% for 2022–23, and 20% for 2021–22. There are 87 registered tea gardens in the hills, 163 in the Dooars, and 82 in the Terai region.
For thousands of tea workers who form the backbone of the industry, this decision comes as a long-awaited assurance. It not only secures their Puja festivities but also signals a much-needed step towards industrial stability in North Bengal’s tea sector.
About the Author
