Led by Dr Karin Astrid Siegmann, this study aimed to better understand Fairtrade’s impact for tea plantations and workers in India and Sri Lanka.
The 3-year study explored the development of labour conditions and collective agency of workers in Fairtrade certified plantations compared to non-certified plantations, and the role of Fairtrade in that process.
Although the research findings are sobering, suggesting that making a real impact on workers lives remains challenging, the report does provide some suggestions for forward-looking strategies which would enable Fairtrade certification to contribute more to decent working conditions on tea estates in India and Sri Lanka.
The study findings fall into four major areas:
- industrial relations and labour rights;
- wages and Fairtrade Premium;
- working conditions;
- social development.
Each region is discussed separately (south India, Assam and Sri Lanka), with some diverse findings across the regions.
Download the report: Fairtrade certified tea in the hired labour sector in India and Sri Lanka: Impact study and baseline data collection
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