Labour Ministry is examining a proposal to amend the Plantations Labour Act, government said in Rajya Sabha today as members voiced concern over low wages to tea garden workers and sought central intervention.
Replying to questions in Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Labour and Employment Bandaru Dattatreya also said it was for the states to look into the wage issue under the Minimum Wages Act.
While the Centre could recommend to the states to under the Minimum Wages Act, it was for state governments to accept it, he said.
Replying to a question on whether there was a proposal to amendment the Tea Labour Act, the minister said there was no such central Act.
"However, there is a Plantations Labour and Employment Act, 1951 which is legislated by the Ministry of Labour and Employment and enforced by the state governments," he said.
While noting that at present there is "no proposal to amend the Plantations Labour Act" by his ministry, the minister said "a proposal has been received from Ministry of Commerce and Industry for amendment of the Plantations Labour Act, which is under examination."
While a number of Opposition members expressed anguish over low wages with some wanting to know whether variations in consumer price index were taken into account while fixing minimum wages for tea garden workers, the minister said these have to be considered by the state governments to fix wages.
"Ultimately the decision is to be taken by the state government," he said.
Sitaram Yecury (CPI-M) suggested that there should be a central act for tea garden workers and rued that in West Bengal, tea garden workers have joined the rank of distressed farming communities, who commit suicide. He said it is high time that tea gardens are considered a modern industry.
Asked about the demand for wage hike by Assam tea garden workers, he said a settlement has already been reached on February 26 between the Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha and the Employers' Association.
