Siliguri, March 30 (IANS) Normalcy returned to the tea industry in the Darjeeling hills as the powerful labour union affiliated to the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) Wednesday lifted its "embargo" on the export of Darjeeling tea to foreign markets.
The Darjeeling Terai Dooars Plantation Labour Union (DTDPLU) of the GJM, which is spearheading the separate Gorkhaland state agitation, had imposed the restriction since the last week of February.
DTDPLU president P.T. Sherpa said they have withdrawn the embargo to bring normalcy back to the tea industry.
The union has been negotiating with the Darjeeling Tea Association since Sunday on its nine-point charter of demand.
The union demanded that tea workers be given minimum wage set by the government.
The daily wage for tea labourers is Rs.67 and the DTDPLU wants it hiked to Rs.150.
There are 78 tea gardens in Darjeeling hills subdivision.