UNICEF and tea industry tackle youth exploitation in India
Many leading companies are coming together to form a new coalition in an effort to improve lives of young people and stamp out exploitation in rural areas of India. The partnership brings together key stakeholders in the tea industry and includes big names such as UNICEF, the Ethical Tea Partnership and retail giant Tesco. Over a 3-year period, it will be involved with 350 communities on over 100 tea estates in three districts in the Indian state of Assam. The partnership seeks to prevent exploitation and abuse of children in rural areas, where poverty and lack of education are prevalent. Assam is one of the largest tea growing regions in the world and a sixth of its population works or depends on tea plantations.