GUWAHATI: In the wake of spread of COVID-19 pandemic to all the 33 districts of Assam and apprehending that the disease may spread to labour lines in tea estates of the state, the Labour Commissioner of Assam government has issued a directive (No.PLA.7/06/Pt-I/6885-87,dated July 28, 2020) to concerned officials of the department to facilitate COVID testing drives among tea garden labourers as soon as possible following consultation with respective tea garden management and labour unions.
In the directed marked to all Assistant Labour Commissioner, all Labour Officers and all Labour Inspectors, the state Labour Commissioners has mentioned that the prevalent COVID-19 pandemic situation in the state is such that there is high probability of it spreading to tea gardens.
The directive further states that community spread of COVID-19 in labour lines will be catastrophic as present medical facility available is not sufficient to cater to a pandemic situation and may lead to high mortality.
Therefore, concerned officials of the Labour Department have been directed to coordinate with district administrations and convince the tea garden management and labour unions to carry out COVID testing among tea garden workers at the earliest so that if there is any prevailing infection it can be contained at the earliest.
