Darjeeling, Sept 17 – In a significant move aimed at addressing the long-standing grievances of tea garden workers in the Darjeeling Hills, Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) Chief Executive Anit Thapa has announced that workers who have not received their dues under the FOWLAI (Financial Assistance to the Workers in Locked Out Industrial Unit) scheme will now be provided bonuses from the GTA Chairman Relief Fund.
The announcement was made through a video message released by Thapa, where he expressed deep concern for the plight of tea garden workers—especially the working mothers, fathers, and sisters—who are compelled to protest and fight for their rightful bonuses every year.
“This step is a gesture of solidarity with our tea garden families who face difficulties every festive season. We want to ensure no worker is left behind during Dashain,” said Thapa in his message.
Relief for Workers of Locked-Out Tea Gardens
Thapa emphasized that this year, he had personally requested the intervention of the state government to streamline the bonus distribution process. He thanked government authorities for their cooperation and assured that additional support is being planned for workers from closed tea gardens who continue to be deprived of their legitimate entitlements.
GTA Chairman Relief Fund to Be Utilized
The bonuses will be disbursed from the GTA Chairman Relief Fund, which was initially established during the Covid-19 pandemic to support vulnerable sections of the hill population. The fund is overseen by a committee led by Samden Dukpa, who Thapa urged to convene a meeting soon to:
Review the current balance of the fund
Plan the transparent distribution of bonuses
Prioritize workers from the most affected tea gardens
Thapa reiterated the importance of transparency and timely action, especially in light of the approaching Dashain festival, which holds immense cultural and emotional significance for families in the hills.
Appeal to Trade Unions for Coordination
In his message, Thapa also made a direct appeal to all tea garden trade unions to collaborate with Samden Dukpa and the committee to facilitate smooth and fair distribution of the relief funds.
“Just as we have ensured transparency in previous disbursements, we will maintain the same standards this time as well,” Thapa assured.
Conclusion
This announcement comes as a much-needed relief for tea garden workers, many of whom face uncertainty every year due to delayed or denied bonuses. With the GTA stepping in through its relief fund, workers across the Darjeeling Hills—especially those from locked-out or closed tea estates—can now hope for timely support ahead of the festive season.
