Posted on-,12th March 2025
DARJEELING, West Bengal: Amid the mist-covered tea gardens, protest chants have replaced the rustle of tea pluckers. Thousands of workers, clad in rain-soaked saris and worn jackets, stand shoulder-to-shoulder, demanding a 20% annual bonus ahead of Durga Puja, the region’s most cherished festival. Management’s counteroffer? As low as 9%. The standoff, now in its second year, threatens Darjeeling’s tea exports and the survival of families who’ve fueled this industry for generations.
The Roots of the Bonus Battle
The tea bonus system dates back to British colonial rule in the 1800s, when plantation owners offered small incentives to retain workers. Today, the bonus—a percentage of yearly earnings paid before Durga Puja—remains critical. For workers earning ₹176 daily (₹5,728 monthly), the bonus isn’t a perk but a lifeline.
By the Numbers:
- Festival Costs: Durga Puja expenses average ₹15,000–₹20,000 per family—nearly four months’ wages.
- Bonus Rates: In 2023, some gardens paid 9%, while unions demanded 19%. In 2024, workers escalated to 20%, countered by management’s 9–13%.
“The bonus buys schoolbooks, medicines, and gifts for my grandchildren. Without it, we borrow money at 24% interest,” said Leela Rai, a plucker at Makaibari Tea Estate, echoing sentiments shared by 65,000 workers across 87 gardens.
2024–2025: Strikes, Social Media, and Stalemate
Tensions boiled over in September 2024 when the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) called a 12-hour strike, halting tea dispatches and tourism. Vehicles were barred from roads, stranding travelers and costing one garden ₹35 lakh ($4,200) in unsold tea.
By March 2025, negotiations remained gridlocked. Social media amplified the workers’ plight: hashtags like #DarjeelingTeaProtests gained traction, while @teacoffeenews2 reported renewed road blockades. Unions demand not just fair bonuses but healthcare and housing reforms.
“No bonus, no peace! We’ll shut the gardens again!” — @DarjeelingWorkersAlliance, March 8, 2025
Life on ₹176 a Day: Why 20% Matters
For 42-year-old Sunita Tamang, a 20% bonus means her three children can attend school without waived fees. For 58-year-old Rajesh Subba, it covers arthritis medication.
The Math:
- Annual Earnings: ₹60,000 (based on 6-day work weeks).
- 20% Bonus: ₹12,000.
- 9% Bonus: ₹5,400.
With 68% of workers relying on post-Puja loans (NewsClick, 2024), the gap between 9% and 20% defines survival.
Economic Tremors: Tea and Tourism at Risk
Darjeeling produces 8.5 million kg of tea yearly, but 2024’s strikes delayed autumn harvests, spooking global buyers. “Clients are switching to Nepal and Assam,” admitted a Darjeeling Tea Association spokesperson.
Tourism, contributing 30% to Darjeeling’s GDP, suffered. A September 2024 shutdown saw hotel cancellations spike 40% (Telegraph India). Even Glenary’s, an iconic café, boycotted Darjeeling tea in solidarity—a move that cost them ₹50,000 daily.
“When tea workers protest, the whole town feels it,” said hotelier Arjun Chettri.
Stakeholders at Odds
Unions: CITU leader Saman Pathak accuses gardens of “profiting from worker poverty,” citing record global tea prices ($4.81/kg in 2024). Unions now ally with tourism guides and drivers to amplify pressure.
Management: The Darjeeling Tea Association cites losses from 2023’s monsoon (30% crop damage) and rising fertilizer costs (up 18% since 2022). “We want to pay more, but we’re barely breaking even,” said a spokesperson.
Government: West Bengal’s 16% advisory pleased neither side. Critics allege political theater ahead of 2026 state elections.
Solutions Brewing?
Proposals to end the deadlock include:
- State Subsidies: Offset garden losses to fund higher bonuses.
- Legal Safeguards: Mandate bonuses via law, as in Maharashtra.
- Fair Trade Certification: Attract ethical buyers paying premiums.
Workers also suggest co-op models: “Let us own shares in the gardens,” said union rep Anita Gurung. Tourism partnerships, like guesthouses funding bonuses, are gaining traction.
Conclusion: A Future Steeped in Uncertainty
As Durga Puja 2025 approaches, Darjeeling’s tea slopes hang in limbo. Will gardens and workers find a compromise, or will protests escalate? For now, the pluckers’ resolve remains unshaken.
