ANNOUNCEMENTS
Tea plantations contribute significantly to income generation in the districts of North Bengal, India. However, limited attention has been paid to the transition from conventional tea estates to organic estates and the pivotal role this shift plays in shaping the working conditions of the labor force. This study aims to evaluate the working conditions of laborers in both conventional and organic tea gardens using the World Health Organization’s Quality of Working Life (WHO-QWL) assessment questionnaire. A multidimensional approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative methods, has been employed.
A primary survey involving 299 laborers was conducted across two tea estates: Okayti Tea Estate (organic) and Margaret's Hope Tea Estate (conventional). Further, an econometric analysis using the logit model revealed significant differences in real wages, nature of employment, and workplace safety between the two types of plantations. The study also offers valuable insights into the broader welfare gains that can be achieved through the adoption of organic plantation practices in North Bengal. In addition, it highlights policy frameworks that could support this transition and lead to a tangible improvement in the working and living conditions of tea plantation laborers.
The study also offers valuable insights into the broader welfare gains that can be achieved through the adoption of organic plantation practices in Darjeeling. It underscores the importance of social entitlements such as access to healthcare, education, and safe working conditions, which were more accessible in organically certified estates. In addition, the study highlights actionable policy frameworks that could support this transition—ranging from fiscal incentives for worker welfare to the integration of labor rights within organic certification standards—ultimately leading to a tangible improvement in the working and living conditions of tea plantation laborers.
Keywords: Organic plantation, Quality of Working Life, Labor Welfare, Working Conditions, Labor Resilience.
