The major gain of the workers was that the managements of the tea gardens would immediately absorb additional 10,000 temporary workers giving them permanent status. Workers of 276 tea gardens have been continuing the agitation for confirmation of the temporary lands for a decade and half. Before the strike was launched four tripartite meetings were held but all those meetings ended yielding no results. At last a formula was evolved at Wednesday's meeting and the workers decided to call off the strike.

According to the Labour Minister, Shanti Ghatak of the 0.325 million tea garden workers in North Bengal 75,000 are temporary. In 1969 the management absorbed as permanent employees 75,000 workers 9,000 in 1979 and 10,000 in 1984. But the managements in 1984 put up conditions for permanency which included production and productivity of an individual worker and also wanted that the size of the garden should be taken into consideration for purpose of offering the permanent status. The workers were highly agitated over the conditions attached by the management for confirmation of the temporary staff. In fact, since 1984 the process of confiring the temporary employees has been kept in abeyance. The present tripartite settlement is considered a major victory for the tea garden workers at a time when voluntary retirement scheme is being offered to the employees.

Besides, a decision has been taken in the tripartite meeting to set up an expert's committee to consider the employment policy in the State's tea gardens in North Bengal. The committee is to submit its report to the State Government in six months. In addition to this a separate committee comprising the State's Minister will be formed to consider the problems and prospects of the tea plantation industry in the State.

For the benefit of the tea garden workers, group hospitals comprising a number of gardens in an area will be setup. The medical advisory committee set up for the purpose will see to it that the group hospitals are set up. The medical advisory committee will submit a report to the State Government giving its views on the number of group hospitals to be set up. It will also give its views on funds required for running the hospitals and also on who will run these hospitals. In each tea garden arrangements will have to be made for supply of drinking water to the workers in six months. If the managements fail to supply fuelwood to the garden workers, coal briquettes will be provided as a alternative. Electricity will be supplied to the housing colonies of tea garden workers. The housing advisory committee for tea garden workers. The housing advisory committee for tea garden workers will also be reconstituted. The workers will be given dress too.

Workers will be promoted depending on the nature of their work. The managements of tea gardens will make monthly payments to their workers switching from the present system of daily payment of their wages. Subsidised ration for the wards of the tea garden worker aged below 21 and dependent on their parents, will also have to be provided by the of garden owners.

Workers will be promoted depending on the nature of their work. The management of tea gardens will make monthly payments to their workers switching form the present system of daily payment of their wages. Subsidised ration for the wards of the tea garden worker aged below 21 and dependent on their parents, will also have to be provided by the garden owners.