Dr JB Ekka Committee
The Dr JB Ekka committee has recently been in the news and is related to the issue of equal wages for small tea workers.

Background
The small tea workers, who are mainly located in the states of Assam and West Bengal in India, have been demanding better wages and improved working conditions for a long time. These workers are employed in the tea gardens, where they work under harsh conditions and receive very low wages. The disparity in wages between the small tea workers and the workers in the organized sector has been a major concern.

The Committee
To address the issue of unequal wages, the Government of India constituted the Dr JB Ekka committee. The committee was formed under the leadership of Dr JB Ekka, a well-known labor rights activist. The primary objective of the committee was to examine the wage structure of small tea workers and recommend measures to ensure fair and equal wages for them.

Findings and Recommendations
After conducting a thorough study and consultation with various stakeholders, the Dr JB Ekka committee submitted its report to the government. The committee highlighted the significant wage disparity between the small tea workers and the workers in the organized sector. It recommended several measures to bridge this gap and improve the living conditions of the small tea workers. Some of the key recommendations of the committee include:

1. Equal wages: The committee recommended that the small tea workers should receive wages equivalent to the minimum wage fixed by the government for the organized sector. This would ensure fair and equal wages for the small tea workers.

2. Benefits and entitlements: The committee also recommended that the small tea workers should be provided with various benefits and entitlements, such as healthcare facilities, housing, education for their children, and access to clean drinking water.

3. Social security measures: The committee stressed the need for social security measures for the small tea workers, including pension schemes, insurance coverage, and maternity benefits.

4. Improved working conditions: The committee recommended that the working conditions in the tea gardens should be improved, including better sanitation facilities, provision of protective gear, and regular health check-ups for the workers.

Conclusion
The Dr JB Ekka committee's recommendations are aimed at addressing the issue of unequal wages and improving the overall conditions of small tea workers. The implementation of these recommendations would ensure fair treatment and better livelihoods for the workers in the small tea industry.