New labour codes bring major boost for north Bengal’s tea and cinchona workers

In a major development for workers across north Bengal's tea and cinchona plantations, the Centre on Friday implemented the long-awaited Four Labour Codes, marking the biggest overhaul of India's labour framework in decades.

- MANAS R BANNERJEE

The move-expected to significantly impact the livelihoods of thousands of plantation workers in the Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars-has been welcomed by Darjeeling MP Raju Bista, who termed it a "landmark decision" for the region.

Describing the reform as transformative for sectors historically governed by colonial-era legislation, Mr Bista said the new Codes would replace 29 outdated labour laws, including the Plantation Labour Act of 1951, and introduce a simplified, transparent and worker-centric framework.

"These laws were passed in Parliament in 2019 and 2020 but their implementation was delayed because some states, including West Bengal, did not frame the necessary rules on time," the MP said.