The Tea Industry is a significant economic sector in India, especially in the Northeastern Regions. The tea industry, being labor-intensive, directly employs millions of workers; hundreds of workers are often employed under challenging conditions in this industry. Against this backdrop, the paper tries to evaluate the labor conditions and worker rights in the tea industry, focusing on the Corramore Tea Estate in Udalguri, Assam.
The study uses a mixed method involving both quantitative and qualitative research. Both primary and secondary data are used for the study. Primary data are collected through a structured questionnaire, and survey. Secondary data are collected from journals, newspapers, government reports, etc.
The study reveals that the Tea Estate employs a predominantly female workforce with diverse educational qualifications, ranging from illiteracy to graduation. Working in the tea industry serves as the primary source of income for most workers. However, the study observes that the workers receive remarkably low wages, highlighting concerns about their economic well-being. The paper suggests that analyzing the working conditions and labor rights can help address the issue of financial well-being and overall labor conditions at Corramore Tea Estate.
The study emphasizes the reliance of Corramore Tea Estate’s predominantly female workforce on low wages as their main income source, underscoring the urgent need for improved working conditions and strengthened labour rights to support their economic well-being.