Supreme Court lauds Justice AM Sapre for declining to accept ₹20 lakh payment for resolving tea workers’ wage dispute

Former Supreme Court Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre recently declined to accept the payment of ₹20 lakh for adjudication of disputes pertaining to wages of tea estate workers in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Assam [International Union of Food & Agr. & Ors. vs. Union of India].In 2020, Justice Sapre had been appointed as a One-Member Committee for settlement of the claims of workers. On April 17, the top court ordered the four States to make a payment of ₹5 Lakh each to him for his "huge efforts" to ensure that the tea estate workers get their overdue amounts. However, Justice Sapre recently refused to accept the amount, "considering the cause involved" in the matter. On April 23, a Bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan in an order appreciated the former judge's gesture and said it honours his sentiments. "We record our appreciation not only for this gesture but also for the services rendered by Hon’ble Retired Judge for the cause of poor workers in tea States," the Court said..The Court has now directed that the amount be used for the welfare of widows of tea estate workers."We direct the State Governments concerned to identify certain cases where a worker has died and widow is facing grave difficulties. With the assistance of the learned Amicus Curiae, States of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Assam will identify such deserving cases and pay over the amount which was to be paid to Hon’ble Mr. Justice A.M. Sapre, Retired Judge in terms of order dated 17th April, 2025. As soon as report regarding West Bengal is submitted, the same procedure shall be followed," the Court ordered. .The case stemmed from a petition filed by the International Union of Food and Agricultural Workers in 2006 for disbursal of pending wages and dues of tea garden workers. In 2010, the Court issued directions to the Central government. However, the petitioner in 2012 again moved the top court with a plea alleging non-compliance of the directions.In April 2018, the top court issued directions to the states to pay the dues of the retired workers. However, the directions were only partially complied with, leading the top court to appoint a One-Member Committee for resolution of the issue. The workers were directed to approach the One-Member Committee for settlement of their claims. From time to time, Justice Sapre has submitted reports showing compliance of the directions of the top court. .Senior Advocate Gaurav Agarwal is amicus curiae in the matter. .[Read Order]