Ahead of the West Bengal Assembly election, Trinamool Congress National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Saturday (January 3, 2026) promised higher wages for tea garden workers if they come back to power in the State.
The TMC leader also addressed issues of healthcare in tea gardens during an outreach program in north Bengal’s Alipurduar, with tea garden workers.
“I agree that it is not possible to run a household on $250... when Didi forms the government for the fourth time, my first priority will be Alipurduar... I will ensure that your daily wage is increased to ₹300 per day,” Mr. Banerjee said while answering a question posed by a tea garden worker. He further added that if they come back to power in the next term, they will implement this promise of a higher wage within seven days of forming the government.
When the TMC government came to power in 2011, the tea garden labourers had a daily wage of ₹67, which was increased to ₹250 over the last three terms of the TMC rule, Mr. Banerjee said. However, he said that ₹250 is not enough to fulfil basic needs when inflation is so high.
Workers also raised pertinent questions about creches and medical facilities within the tea gardens to help workers sustain their lives and access basic support to continue work. These issues have been at the forefront of many tea garden movements over the years and have dominated election promises across party lines.
