Tea Garden Labor Problems and HT Planning of Assam Tea Industry

Name:         Bitupan Kalita (2008 -2010)
Title:          Tea Garden Labor Problems and HT Planning of Assam Tea Industry

Executive Summary
Assam tea (Assamese: অসমীয়া চাহ, Hindi: असमिया चाय or Hindi: आसामी चाय or Hindi: असमी चाय) is manufactured specifically from the plant Camellia sinensis var. assamica (Masters). This tea, most of which is grown at or near sea level, is known for its body, briskness, malty flavor, and strong, bright color. Assam teas, or blends containing Assam, are often sold as "breakfast" teas. English breakfast tea, Irish Breakfast tea, and Scottish Breakfast Tea are common generic names.

India the home of the tea-plant
The tea industry in India is about 172 years old. It occupies an important place and plays a very useful part in the national economy. In 1838 the first Indian tea from Assam was sent to United Kingdom for public sale. Thereafter, it was extended to other parts of the country between 50's and 60's of the last century. Major tea growing areas of the country are concentrated in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

• 1692 registered Tea Manufacturers,
• 2200 registered Tea Exporters,
• 5848 number of registered tea buyers,
• Nine tea Auction centres.

Assam and Tea-Planters
The best thing for an intending share purchaser to do would be to obtain a report from an experienced planter, if possible, from another district, in which all points would be carefully considered and reported upon :—Tenure, buildings, labour, staff, machinery, communication, general plant ; ratio of increase in out-turn and expenditure during the last few years ; the exact state of the factory advance account ; the condition of the garden, as having been, or not, well pruned, drained, and carefully treated ; the number of hoeing in the previous year (to gauge the sufficiency oi the labour) ; and, in addition, if possible, a report from London tea-brokers, as to the standing of the garden mark with buyers.

Recommendations & Suggestions:
Labour Development Programme:
Illustrative list of Schemes

Education

1. Primary school buildings (additional rooms)
2. Middle school buildings (additional rooms)
3. Development of play fields
4. Construction of hostels/dormitories
5. Buying of school dresses/books
6. Adult education
7. Public libraries and reading rooms
8. Development of human resource through vocational and   technical education
9. TV/dish antennas
10. Books/journals

Health:

1. Provision of medical equipments of basic/elementary type, X-Ray, ECG machines etc. can also be purchased.
2. Provision of equipment for Dental Clinic
3. First-aid kit for midwives
4. Construction of public toilets and bathroom
5. Setting up of mobile dispensaries in rural areas by Government/ Panchayati Raj Institutions
6. Health Awareness Programme
7. Eye camps
8. RCH programme
9. Blood Banks
10. Control of Malaria, Filaria, Leprosy, AIDS etc.

Infrastructure:

1. Rural Sanitation
2. Solar Street Lights
3. Solar household Lights
4. Electrification
5. Strengthening of existing roads (only link road)
6. Construction and strengthening of kutcha roads, part road, approach roads, link roads.
7. Drinking water facility – construction of tube wells, water tanks
8. Repair and maintenance of existing roads
9. Public Distribution System and its improvement (in terms of infrastructure)
10. Industries – Handloom, tiny units, handicraft, furniture making
11. Construction of culverts/bridges and roads
12. Drains and gutters
13. Footpaths, pathways and footbridges
14. Provisions of civic amenities like electricity, water, pathways, public toilets etc. in slum areas of cities, towns    and  villages and in SC/ ST habitations.
15. Provision of common work sheds in slums and for artisans.
16. Bus sheds/stops for public transport passengers
17. Repair and maintenance works of any type other than special repairs for restoration/ up gradation of any asset.
18. Construction of buildings for local bodies for recognized District or State Sports Associations and for cultural and sport activities or     for hospitals (provision of multi-gym facilities in gymnastic centres, sports association, physical education training institutions etc.)

Social Sector:

1.  Construction of community centres
2. Rural Sanitation
3. Anganwadies, Crèches
4. Cultural Centres/Community Halls
5. Construction of common shelters for the old and handicapped.
6. Training for youth for self employment and skill up gradation.
7. Setting up of small industries using local inputs.

On time payment
Increase labour compensation

Limitations:

1. Assam Tea Industry Is the largest tea industry in the world, so there are huge diversity
2. There are more than 9000 tea garden, so it is impossible to study in all the gardens.
3. Sample collection is not easy
4. Data collection period is limited
5. Limited sources of primary data
6. Weather condition impact on data collection
7. Socio-political impact on data collection      

This is a pilot level study that attempts to survey the socio-economic issues of tea garden labourers in Assam Hills. One of the major limitations of the study is that it takes only few tea gardens as a case study and sample to represent the region. Moreover, the sample size taken is relatively small. The findings of the study may only be indicative in nature and may be used with caution. A much larger and extensive study is required in order to explore the issues that have marred Assam Tea Industry and consequently impacted the garden labour force in the region.

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The above article is a summary extract from the dissertation projects of the MBA and BBA students of Skyline College. Skyline, situated in Delhi and Gurgaon (NCR) is a premier institute providing management education specialising in MBA and BBA degrees and specialist courses for travel and tourism as well as mass communication.