MEMORANDUM OF SETTLEMENT BETWEEN I.T.A., (AB), ATPA, TAI (AB)

& B.C.P. (AB) AND THE ACKS., ACMS ITEU & C.C.S.U. DT. 1-10-70.

Memorandum of Settlement

Names of Parties

The Tea Industry in Assam represented by the four producer associations, namely:-

1. Indian Tea Association

2.Assam Tea Planters Association

3. Tea Association of India

4. Bharatiya Cha Parishad and

The workers represented By:-

1.Assam Chah karmachari  Sangha

2.Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha

3.Cachar Cha Sramik Union

4.Indian Tea Employees Union

Representing the Employers                                                                                                     Representing the Workers

Chairman, Indian Tea Association                                                                             General   Secretary, I.N.T.U.C., Assam Branch

President, T.A.I.                                                                                                   General   Secretary  A.C.K.S.

Chairman, B.C.P.                                                                                                  General   Secretary A.C.M.S.

Chairman , A.T.P.A.                                                                                              General   Secretary   C.C.S.U.

TERMS OF SETTLEMENT                                                                                                             Seceretary,  I.T.E.U

  

 

  

1. WAGES

A. Daily Rated workers

Short Recital of the Case

In pursuance of the tripartite agreement dated 23rd October 1969, a Wage Negotiating Committee was set up, which had its 1st Meeting in shillong on the 7th July 1970, and a second one on the 27th and 28th August, 1970. The third and final meeting was held on the 28th,29th and 30th Sept. 1970, when an agreement was reached between the parties on the following terms:-

(i) In the course of the following years the daily rated adult workers in the Assam Valley and Cachar will be given increase in Wages of 42 paise and 39 paise per day respectively, and these increase will be phased in the following manner:-

                                        1.1.70            1.1.71            1.1.72            1.1.73

Assam Valley                       6 paise          15 paise          14 paise            7 paise

Cachar                               6   "              12   "             14  "                 7  "

(ii) The existing wages of children will similarly be increased at the following rates:-

                                     1.1.70               1.1.71            1.1.72            1.1.73

Assam Valley                    3 paise                8 paise          7paise            4paise

Cachar                            3   "                       6  "                 7  "             4 "

(iii) The existing Zonal and Regional differences in the rates of wages will be maintained as at present.

(iv) The existing amount of variable dearness allowance as recommended by the Wage Board will remain unchanged during the period of the operation of this Agreement.

(v) Payment of arrears for the period 1st January 1970 to 30th Sept. 1970 will be completed not later than the31st March. 1071

B. Subordinate and Other Monthly Rated Staff

(i) For the period 1st January to 31st March 1970, these categories of workers will receive a lump sum payment of Rs. 10.00 only, which will not qualify for dearness allowance,

(ii) With effect form 1st April 1970 there shall be the following revision of the wage structures:-

(a) 50% of the present fixed dearness allowance of 20% along with the adhoc increase of Rs. 5/- as paid form October 1969, will be merged into the basic pay as obtaining on 1st April 1970.

(b) On new basic pay resulting form the above merged a fixed Dearness Allowance of 17.5 % shall be paid.

(c) The existing scales of pay shall be revised in the light of the effects of clause (a) above.

(d) The  Variable Dearness Allowance as recommended by the Wage Board, which at present stand at 13.5%, will remain unchanged during the period of this Agreement and shall be payable on the new basic salary referred to above.

(e) Payment of the arrears for the period 1st January 1970 to 30th. Sep. 1970 will be completed not later than 31st. March, 1971.

C. Clerical & Medical Staff & Technicians (Artisans A.B.&C.)

(i) For the period 1st. January 1970 to 31st March 1970 the above categories of workers shall each receive a lump sum payment of Rs. 15/- only, which will not qualify for Dearness Allowances.

(ii) With effect form 1st April 1970 there shall be the following revision on the wage structure for the aforesaid categories of workers:-

(a) 50% of the present fixed Dearness Allowance of 20% along with the adhoc increase of Rs. 8/- per month as made effective form October 1969 will be merged with the basic pay obtaining on 1st April 1970.

(b) ON the new basic pay resulting form the above merge a fixed Dearness allowance of 17.5% shall be paid.

(c) The existing scales of pay shall be revised in the light of the effects of clause (ii) (a) above.

(d) The Variable Dearness Allowance as recommended by the wage Board. which at present stands at 18% will remain unchanged during the period of this Agreement and shall be payable on the new-basic salary referred to above.

(iii) The matter of re-categories and upgrading of certain categories of Staff (Clerical, Medical & Technical) is relegated to be settled at the bipartite level but the Standing Labour Committee shall continue to remain seized of the issues and failing a settlement at the bi-partite level the issue will revert back to the standing Labour Committee.

(iv) Payment of the arrears for the Periods 1st January 1970 to the 30th Sept. 1970 will be completed at later than the 31st march, 1971.

2. FESTIVAL AND NATIONAL HOLIDAYS

(i) In the Assam valley form 1971 the number of paid national and festival holidays will be increased to 8 (eight) the additional day being for Magh Bihu. If Magh Bihu is already included among the seven paid holidays being given at any garden,the additional holiday under this clause may be given on some other festival in the cold weather by mutual agreement.

(ii) In Cachar there will similarly be 8 (eight) paid festival and national holidays in the year to be given in the following phased manner:-

1970..5 days (3 national and 2 festival)

1971.. 6 days (3 national and 3 festival)

1972.. 8 days (3 national and 5 festival)

3. CASUAL LEAVE

    Form 1971 Subordinate and other Monthly Rated staff will be granted casual leave with pay. For the first year the maximum will be 4 (four) days and form 1972 onward the limit will be raised to 5 (five) days per annum provided that not more than two days shall be taken at any one time.

4.PLUCKING RATES

  (i)  In the Assam Valley a suitable new scheme for plucking rates will be negotiated at bipartite level between the Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha and the Employers Associations for introduction in season 1971. Until the finalisation of the new Plucking Rates the workers engaged on ticca plucking will be given the increase as per paragraph I A of this Agreement, form 1st January 1970.

(ii) Form 1971 in Cachar the system of payment for plucking will be standarised as follows:-

(a) The standard task will be 15 Kg. for full wages.

(b) The additional remuneration for

leaf plucked over 15 Kg.(i.e., leaf paise) will be 8 paise per Kg.  in 1971. and 7 paise per Kg. form 1972 on wards.

(c) The fair wage on a time basis will be guaranteed to all pluckers irrespective of the quantity of leaf plucked provided they worked for a full day. A plucker who works for half a day only will receive payment at half of the fair wage as agreed to above.

5. RETIREMENT BENEFIT

  It was noted that an assurance is given on behalf of the State Government that Legislation would be introduced at the very earliest opportunity to provide for a retirement benefit scheme for all  workers and this assurance was welcomed by  both parties. It has however been agreed that of such Government Legislation does not materialise in good time for introduction of such a scheme form 1972, the matter would be taken up at bipartite level with a view to evolving a Retirement Scheme. Meantime it is agreed that no member  of the subordinate and other monthly rated staff will be retires pending  finalisatiion of the scheme

6. DURATION

(i) This agreement will cover the period up to the 31st December 1973.

(ii) During this period the workers and the Unions will not raise any industry-wise dispute in respect of the issues covered in this Agreement

(iii) The terms of the Agreement will continue to be binding on the parties concerned unless they are revoked or replaced by a fresh Agreement.

Employers' representatives:                                                                    Workers' representatives:

Sd/- R.L. Mellor                                                                                   S/D G.C. Sharma

Sd/- M. Jalan.                                                                                     S/d Jagannath Sinha

(Mohadeo Jalan                                                                                    S/d P. Sen Mazumber

                                                                                                         S/d Gajen Tanti

 

Witness:-

Sd/- B. Sarma,

Labour Commissionar, Assam.

Dated 1st October, 1970

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