The Real Cost of Tea: Modern-Day Slavery in Assam’s Tea Gardens

Sukti Dhital, a human rights lawyer and Executive Director of Nazdeek, a legal capacity organization committed to bringing access to justice closer to marginalized communities in India, will be sharing stories from the ground on the real cost of India’s tea. Through 360 interactive multi-media, Sukti will walk the audience through Assam’s tea gardens, highlighting the substandard conditions these workers labor under.  Even though the tea industry is profitable, its workers are slowly deteriorating under a modern-day feudalism developed by the British and inherited by today’s tea companies.  Based on Nazdeek’s work in partnering with grassroots activists to advance the rights of workers, the discussion will center on the need for corporate accountability to address human rights abuses and a holistic approach to strengthen efforts for justice.

As covered by leading news outlets such as the New York Times, the Guardian UK, Al Jazeera, BBC and Reuters, despite producing more than 52% of India’s tea, workers in Assam are the lowest paid in India’s organized sector. Colonial-era labor structures, faulty trade union practices and corporate greed are responsible for unjust wages, which are against the Constitution, national and international laws. Through the use of national and transnational legal mechanisms, advocacy campaigns, and community trainings, activists and workers are beginning to challenge the colonial structure in Assam.

Please join the India China Institute and Nazdeek for an evening to reflect and exchange ideas on how western consumers can join the fight to end modern day feudalism in the gardens.

-Friday, December 5, from 5pm to 6:30

-wine/beverages + light snacks served

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