Author: Peter Clarkin, MA
March 12, 2025
HRRC strongly condemns the mistreatment of manual workers in any form. The story of the female workforce in the tea plantations of Assam, India shows that immediate progress is needed to protect the health of every individual employed in this labour-intensive industry.
![Women belonging to the tea garden community plucking tea leaves in Assam [Image source: Pratidintime]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e28a6b_66342968b07a4829b1d3753f4959ffa6~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_577,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/e28a6b_66342968b07a4829b1d3753f4959ffa6~mv2.png)
The region of Assam in northeastern India is one of the most important tea producing areas in the world. It is responsible for over 50% of all tea exports from the country and the chances are that if you go down to your local supermarket you are likely to find at least one box of tea that originated from there.
For many, due to well-publicised issues regarding the production of coffee, tea is often seen as the more morally responsible choice, but this is a misconception and the case of workers’ rights in Assam goes some way to proving that point.
While the health benefits of drinking tea are regularly publicised, the conditions of the workers of Bongaigaon’s Tea Garden in Assam highlights that their health is of no real concern to plantation owners.
The all-female workforce that currently numbers more than 800 is underpaid, overworked, and underfed. Malnourishment is widespread they are only provided with a small amount of rice and chutney to sustain themselves for long hours of physically exhausting work. Previously they were provided with a free-ration of wheat-flour to make chapatis, but that has been cut seemingly to reduce costs.
In addition to the lack of food, health risks are accentuated by the fact that the women are living in accommodation without proper facilities and are therefore forced to regularly defecate outside, often in areas that are in close proximity to where the tea leaves are harvested.
An increase in the rates of tuberculosis among workers in the area has also caused alarm. The causes of this frightening condition (poor nutrition, kitchen smoke, cramped living conditions) seem easily preventable, but urgent action needs to be taken by the relevant authorities immediately, as the dependents of the workers are also being affected.
Over the past three years, the local government has recorded that tea estate owners have violated acts primarily created for the welfare of their workers on more than 200 occasions. The brutal reality is that a number of these acts are over 50 years old, and over that time the government has done very little to protect these vital workers.
Glossary
Accentuated – Made more noticeable or prominent.
Chapatis – Thin, round flatbreads made from whole wheat flour, common in Indian cuisine.
Chutney – A spicy or savoury condiment made from fruits, vegetables, and spices.
Cramped – Small and overcrowded, lacking space.
Defecate – Expel waste from the bowels.
Dependents – People who rely on someone else for financial or other support.
Malnourishment – Poor nutrition due to a lack of proper food or essential nutrients.
Misconception – A wrong or mistaken belief.
Plantation – A large farm or estate where crops like tea, coffee, or sugar are grown, often using labour-intensive methods.
Proximity – Nearness in space or time.
Ration – A fixed portion of food or supplies, often distributed in limited amounts.
Tuberculosis – A contagious bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs.
Vital – Extremely important or necessary for life.
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