Guwahati, Feb 27: The Assam Cabinet has approved a Rs 30 increase in the daily wages of tea garden workers across the state, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Thursday, months ahead of the Assembly elections due in March–April.

With the hike, daily wages in the Brahmaputra Valley will rise to Rs 280, while workers in the Barak Valley will receive Rs 258 per day.

The Chief Minister said the final wage structure will be aligned with the New Labour Codes once the necessary rules are formally notified. Although the Labour Code has already received approval, wages will be revised further in accordance with its provisions after the rules come into effect.

Experts note that the New Labour Codes aim to create uniform standards, strengthen worker protections, and simplify compliance in sectors such as plantations. The shift from the earlier fragmented framework is expected to bring comprehensive reforms, including improved welfare measures, safer workplaces, and expanded social security coverage. Women, migrant, and seasonal workers are also expected to benefit from a more inclusive and modernised regulatory structure.

The latest revision follows a previous hike of Rs 18 in October 2023. The move is expected to benefit thousands of workers across Assam’s tea estates and comes amid long-standing demands for a substantial increase in daily wages.

While welcoming the decision, worker representatives reiterated their demand for a higher minimum wage.

“We have demanded a minimum wage of Rs 351 for workers, but the Rs 30 increase will provide some immediate relief. We are happy with the government’s decision and urge them to raise it further in the coming days,” said Lakhindar Kurmi, a leader of ATTSA.

Laxmirani Urang, a tea plucker at Mancotta Tea Estate, said workers had been pressing for a wage revision for years. “We are happy that our daily wages will increase by Rs 30. The hike was long pending and we had staged several protests. But it should be raised to Rs 500,” she said.

Another worker, Champa Kurmi, said low wages have made it difficult to support families. “We had demanded Rs 351 as the minimum wage. We are glad about the Rs 30 increase, but we urge the government to implement the minimum wage we have been demanding,” she added.

The decision has drawn mixed reactions among tea garden workers, with many welcoming the relief but calling it insufficient.

Meanwhile, tea garden owners are expected to face additional financial pressure, with several estates already reporting operational losses.

The wage revision comes at a politically significant time, as elections to the 126-member Assam Assembly approach.

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