World Bank investigating worker abuse at Tata plantations
The World Bank announced an investigation into labor practices at a tea plantation project that it jointly finances with tea giant Tata Global Beverages in Assam, India. This follows a recent report by the Columbia Law School's Human Rights Institute alleging that plantation workers were bullied over sick leave, denied free health care and subjected to excessive deductions from their meager pay. Other reports by charities also cite long working hours and restrictions on freedom of association among workers, all of which are in violation of Indian law. The joint project was set up in 2009 to acquire and manage tea plantations previously owned by Tata Global Beverages - which owns Tetley, the second largest tea brand in the world. Tata Global Beverages denies any violation of workers' rights.