The tea industry
The tea industry is a booming global business. With 3.5 million tons of tea produced each year – including 1.6 million tons for export – tea harvesting is an important source of income for millions of workers across the globe.
India and Kenya are two of the world's top four tea-producing nations, earning hundreds of millions of pounds in exports each year. But in spite of the massive revenues tea sales generate, workers who pick and pack the leaves face horrendous conditions and earn far below a living wage.
War on Want has revealed the continuing failure of UK retailers to improve the conditions of workers employed by businesses in their supply chains, despite their repeated claims to be addressing the issue. With British supermarkets unwilling to clean up their act, War on Want and other allied organizations are campaigning for the government to set up a Commission for Business, Human Rights and the Environment. It would have the authority to investigate the abuse of workers overseas and allow them to seek redress in the UK when they suffer corporate abuse.
Now we need to increase the pressure on government, and ensure that a Commission is set up. Take action now to call on the government to set up a Commission for Business, Human Rights and the Environment.
Picture credit: Jon Spaull
