Report finds sustainability programs fail to eradicate low wages
A new report assessing the state of pay and benefits of tea plantation workers revealed systemic problems with remuneration in Malawi, India and Indonesia. The study by Oxfam and the Ethical Tea Partnership also confirmed recent reports that workers on tea estates certified by Fairtrade International, Rainforest Alliance and UTZ Certified do not earn more than those who work in non-certified estates. Researchers found that even if pay was pegged to legal minimum wages, it was usually insufficient to cover basic expenses. Also, the majority of workers, particularly women, had little say in pay and benefit negotiations. Finally, regional governments were sometimes responsible for overburdening plantations with excess workers in order to maximize local employment.