Workers an essential component to sustain the tea industry
Reading some of the views expressed by eminent personnel in the tea industry it is quite apparent that this industry is in dire straits, giving a symptomatic impression that viability is being seriously threatened.
The primary cause for this predicament is, as those entrusted to manage these holdings have repeatedly said, the shortage of workers. At the recent global tea producer’s meeting in London, the managing Director of Kelani Valley and Talawakelle PLC RoshanRajadurai said “sustainability of the industry is linked to the sustainability of workers”. He further said that it is important to raise worker dignity and morale if the industry is to become more attractive to young workers.
The same views were indicated by Lalith Obeysekara, outgoing chairman of the Planters Association of Ceylon at the 159th AGM of the PA held recently in Colombo. There are several reasons for the younger generation to seek employment elsewhere. Nearly two decades ago after privatization working days of workers were restricted or curtailed, specially sundry work since there was no replanting and infilling. This was one of the reasons that affected the yields in Sri Lanka. Many years ago it was the practice to register the children of those who were eligible, on casual basis and later to be taken into the permanent cadre. The uneconomic tea areas together with available fallow land were planted with timber. Whenever there is no work in the estates the workers went for outside jobs. Some went for harvesting sugar cane in Monaragala.
This was the turning point. The workers who went for outside work were well paid and well looked after. They gave their children a good education expecting employment outside. This happened while there was a marked improvement in estate sector living conditions such as housing, health and sanitation, income levels and other beneficial attributes. All such facilities were free of charge but the industry failed to affect levels of social recognition. In this regard several types of mechanical harvesters were tried out. The Tea Research Institute has initiated many trials but was not concerned about the quality of the end product and possible lowering of yields in the long term. Yet this looks a better option than abandoning fields/delaying plucking rounds and incurring losses. This needs evaluation.
Who is responsible for the worker exodus? We as planters, politicians, and the trade unionists should all be held responsible. It is true that the estate workers should be given equal political status but the sustainability of the industry has to be ensured. Some trade unionists have blamed regional plantation companies for the present situation but I do not subscribe to this argument.
Workers who leave cannot be readily wooed back. This is where the voice of unions and the politicians should play an important role. They can prevent the worker exit by negotiating a workable alternative.
All concerned stakeholders should take appropriate steps for the long term sustainability of the industry and for livelihood of the estate workers.
(The writer has worked for a long time in the tea industry).