2014 Summer Student Research Fellow Joseph Wheeler recently had an op-ed published in the Hundustan Times and has also written a research report based on his research during his trip to India this summer.
From the op-ed:
Despite an expected industry turnover of Rs. 33,000 crore by 2015, tea plantation workers earn the lowest wage of all organised sectors in India. In Assam, they earn Rs. 94 per day — far below the state’s statutory minimum wage for unskilled labourers of Rs. 169 per day. On top of this illegal wage, companies often deduct the cost of food ration, electricity and retirement benefits. Expenses related to housing repair, medical bills, and childcare are also borne by workers, despite the Plantation Labour Act, which mandates that plantation’s management must provide these services for free.
Op-ed: “They’re not as serene as they seem to be” Hundustan Times. September 14, 2014
Extended article: ‘Minimum wage violations perpetuate modern-day feudalism on Assam tea plantation (PDF)
For more on our ICI student fellows summer research experiences please check out our Student Blog. Congratulations Joseph!