Bengal Brews A Storm In Every Teacup With The Exploitation Of Nearly 15 Lakh Workers In Its Tea Gardens

We're all familiar with the sweet aroma of Darjeeling tea. We love a hot cuppa, and for many of us, a visit to the lush green tea estates is a sign of even greater refreshment.

But ever paused to wonder what happens in these picturesque tea gardens? Let's take a look at the life of planters across more than 300 tea gardens in North Bengal, producing around 600 varieties of tea - just for you.

An estimate (by the Centre for the Development of Human Initiative (CDHI) - an NGO in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal) confirms that there are over 15 lakh people working in the tea estates at any given point of time. This includes permanent workers as well as people employed on a contractual basis.

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North Bengal's tea-producing areas include districts of Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, Kishanganj and North Dinajpur. There are over 300 tea gardens spread across in the area, producing many different aromatic varieties of tea. With an estimated working population of over 15 lakh, the main economy of this region is dependent on tea production.

While tea, jute, and textile are some of the old thriving industries of India, it is the tea industry where a large number of females are employed. Only male members work in the jute industry for example; however in tea estates, there is a mix of male and female workers. This fact makes the labour situation a bit more important and also a tad more sensitive.

There are many teething problems as well as labour sensitive issues concerning this huge tea production region in India. One such issue is the daily wage given to the workers here which is perceived to be less than the minimum daily wage standards in our country. Then there are many work-life related issues covering common aspects like worker rights, awareness level, health, benefits, among other pressing issues.

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The many tea estates are run by the owners, or designated as Directors, of the tea gardens in the region. Most of these owners are really not aware of the state of their planters - as they lack practical exposure and experience. They are businessmen dealing with non-trader planters. However, the tea plantation industry requires a close watch. Take for consideration the fact that the workers here need to be properly trained to do their jobs. It is an immediate step forward now, so as to save the tea industry.

On the contrary, the owners display no interest in the daily production, or the daily task at hand. There are concerning issues like unhygienic conditions under which the workers are executing their daily job. Harmful medicines or chemicals are being used which affect the health of the planters.

Yet, tea estate owners are not deeply concerned.

For them, it is like running their tea garden shops, making quick money, and then, in few cases, even shutting them down.

Often, they close their shops on the pretext of a labour strike. They are here to make money, and then recycle the profits generated through tea estates for other business purposes. This, in turn, affects the livelihood of the laborers, leaving them abandoned, and many others malnourished.

The team at CDHI also confirms that there are even reported cases of female trafficking in the tea estates.

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It doesn¡¯t take us long to understand that the root problem is the profit-driven attitude of the tea estate owners. There are even instances of government property or government funds being used, and it won¡¯t be an exaggeration to say that the laborers are only at the receiving end as a consequence.

There are no perks for retired laborers like PF, or even gratuity.

The government has started aids, and there are many departments which take care of workers. However, due to lack of experience at the panchayat department or village pradhan level, they are not able to put the government help into practice.

Even tea garden owners are not able to negotiate proper rates for selling the production. They don¡¯t take the labour interest into consideration. Pumping foreign investment can be one solution; yet, it is not even considered by the many tea owners here.

On the other hand, the laborers are less educated. Most of them are not aware of the Government¡¯s Labor Plantation Act. In fact, they were unaware of even how much should be given to them. However, since they are now aware, it leads to a situation where they are exploited at the hands of the Mahajan who pockets their money.

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The CDHI team is working towards solving many ground issues. The organisation is trying to stop child labor by opening schools and providing training to students. They have also taken steps for students to pursue higher education. They are also working towards bringing consciousness and awareness about human rights grants from the government.

Some of these initiatives by CDHI (in association with CASA) have been taken at the Chamurchi tea garden by approaching the gram panchayats. The NGO is also working towards creating awareness on other factors like old age pension, widow pension, organising seminars for pregnant labour, among others.

In Jalpaiguri, the organisation has also worked towards improving the damaged road condition in the Indira Awas housing society. They have also obtained an NOC for Bagan management. Also, after meeting the MLA and the district magistrate, they are set to provide clean drinking water in the area. In another Shamik (labor) basti, they have provided 90% rural electrification. They are also helping the residents deal with the issue of high electricity bills, and have initiated meetings with the management to justify laborer¡¯s wages, and be able to tackle problems of the union leaders.

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In addition, CDHI is also organising health camps in association with MANT in Kolkata. They are progressing towards making arrangements for alternate livelihoods in the Jalpaiguri tea garden area.

Facts along with all other information and details have been provided by the CDHI team. Personal thanks to Sir Mohammad Nazimuddin, Community Leader at CDHI. Visit http://www.cdhi.in/about.php for more information on the organisation.