MINUTE BY SIR VICTOR SASSOON, 483
The income of the worker on the tea gardens, as is usual in agri-
cultural oocupations, is derived partly fiom wages and partly from con-
vessions in kind. In addition to cash earnings he receives free housing,
free fuel, free medical attendance, loans free of interest and free grazing.
Frequently, but not always, he receives an allotment of land on which
he can work during his spare time. He is also generally free from
anxiety of unemployment in the future. The local Government state
that ‘‘it must be remembered that in Assam the demand exceeds the
supply and when such a condition exists wages will be comparatively
high ”. Whatever may have been the conditions in the past in this
respect, it is admitted that since 1921-22 the consistent policy of the
industry has been to assist the garden worker to increase his earnings.!

In spite of the situation outlined above, my colleagues advocate:
the institution of wage regulation in the tea industry in Assam. I do not
propose here to discuss in detail the recommendations of the Interna-
tional Labour Office, which do not apply to agriculture, beyond stating
they are subject to two basic conditions, (1) that no arrangement exists
for the regulation of wages by collective agreement, and (2) that wages are
exceptionally low. As to whether wage regulation is desirable or practi-
cable for agriculture in India I have not sufficient knowledge to give an
opinion, but it appears to me only right and logical that, if wages are to be
regulated in agriculture, there should be in the first place a definite ad hoc
enquiry on the subject ; and it is wrong and unjust in my view to treat a
particular industry as a playground for experimental reform unless
conditions in that industry are so shocking that their remedy hrooks no
delav.
Justification for the exceptional treatment of the tea industry is
sought for by my colleagues in the peculiar conditions existing in Assam.
Their arguments may be summed up under three heads :—

First, the inequality of the bargaining power of the employer
and employed as to the wage agreement. This is attributed to the
power of the Indian Tea Association. which is said to comprise 90 per
cent of the planters.

Secondly, the analogy drawn from the minimum wage system
which operates successfully in Ceylon at the present time.

Thirdly, the suspicion still prevalent in the recruiting areas with
regard to labour conditions in Assam which the Report maintains
would be considerably reduced by the establishment of Minimum
Wage Boards.
1. As regards the first point, I would challenge any unbiassed
observer to say that even partial equality of bargaining power is common
in India. This inequality is a familiar feature throughout Indian industry
and is only to be expected in a country where labour is illiterate and has
not yet achieved the standard of organisation prevalent in the West.
Wages all over India are noted for lack of standardisation and our expe.
rience has shown that even factories in the same district pay different
L Page 386.

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