States » EastPosted at: Feb 17 2026 11:27PM


ESI scheme for tea workers under discussion; unions flag concerns over health infrastructure

Siliguri, Feb 17 (UNI) The West Bengal Labour Department on Monday held a meeting in hybrid mode to discuss the proposed introduction of the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) scheme in the tea plantation sector, amid growing concerns over the deteriorating health infrastructure in tea gardens across the state.
The meeting was chaired by Labour Minister Moloy Ghatak and attended by officials and stakeholders to deliberate on extending social security coverage to tea garden workers and their families through the ESI scheme.
Reacting to the development, General Secretary of the Cha Bagan Mazdoor Union, West Bengal, Shah Alam,in a press statement, said the move has come at a time when healthcare facilities in tea gardens are in a “precarious condition,” affecting an estimated 10 to 12 lakh workers and their dependents.
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