Internationa Tea day-Joint Call

New Delhi
11th September, 2007

Since the year 2005, on every 15 December tea-producing countries across the world observe International Tea Day (ITD) to draw attention of governments and citizens on the impact of tea trade on workers, small growers, consumers and industry. In India this year, a joint call was made by central and tea related trade unions namely Indian National Plantation Workers Federation (INTUC), United Trades Union Congress (UTUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha, The Hills Plantation Workers Union (HMS), All India Federation of Plantation Workers (AITUC) and Coordination Committee of Tea Plantation Workers, West Bengal that assembled on 11 September 2007 in Delhi. The participating trade union delegates decided to organise a National Seminar on Closed and Abandoned Tea Estates: Challenges before the Trade Unions and Workers' Assembly on Protect Rights, Livelihood and Life of Tea Workers in Closed and Abandoned Tea Estates" on the occasion of International Tea Day in India on December 15 2007. The trade unions gave this unanimous call.

The Call

"We, the representatives of National Tea Trade Unions of India, namely, Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), United Trades Union Congress (UTUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), All India Federation of Plantation Workers (AITUC) and Coordination Committee of Tea Plantation Workers, West Bengal met on 11 September 2007 give this unanimous call.

In the context of intensifying globalisation in the tea industry under WTO global trade regime marked by market manipulation and restructuring as manifested in India through closure and abandonment of tea estates have thrown the already marginalized workers to situations of acute deprivation. This year we, the collective of Central Trade Unions, Plantation Workers Federations

1. call for strengthening global unity of tea workers that will influence global policies on trade in tea and price determination and provide global solidarity in efforts to determine national policies

2. Demand governments to take pro-active role to stop fragmentation, closure and abandonment of tea estates

3. Demand livelihood rights of the tea workers and families who have been affected by such crisis.

4. Demand an end casualisation and contractualisation of labour and prevent retrenchment of workforce caused by mechanization
5. Strengthen the process of making tea corporations accountable at the global level 6. Influence governments for better and fair international trade policies
7. Strengthen the international trade secretariats in defending the right of workers

8. Build alliances with other workers' organisations and struggles in plantations and other in commodities

We further appeal you all to use this occasion of International Tea Day on 15 December to add momentum to your continuing struggles for the rights of workers in the tea industry through possible interventions both nationally and internationally. We appeal to all fellow trade unions to reinforce their ongoing activities of safeguarding the rights of tea workers. We also appeal to respective governments and international institutions, labour-support organisations and consumers for your support to make this joint call a success."

Specifically, on December 15th we request you to

1. organise rallies, meetings of tea workers and trade unions at the national, state and unit level in your respective countries
2. Prepare posters and other campaign materials on issues pertaining to tea workers in your respective countries

3. Write to Member of Parliament (MPs) and governments asking for policies that safeguard the interests of tea workers
4. Use print and electronic media to advocate the need for the observance of International Tea Day

5. Persuade your respective governments to pressurise International Labour Organisation and United Nations to declare December 15 as International Tea Day

Signed Memebers

1. P.A Joseph,
President Indian National Plantation Workers Federation (INTUC)
P.B No. 9, Kumily
Idukki, Kerala .

3. Vazhoor Soman, Vice President, All India Federation of Plantation Workers (AITUC), Idukki, Kerala

5. Mani Kumar Darnal
General Secretary
INPWF (INTUC)
NUPW Office, Birpara,
Jalpaiguri, West Bengal

7. Chitta Dey,
Convenor,
Co-ordination Committee of Tea Plantation Workers, West Bengal Cha Sharamik Union,
Jalpaiguri, West Bengal

9. Dr. Rinju Rasaily,
Programme Officer,
Department of Trade and Labour Rights,
Centre for Education and Communication (CEC)
173-A, Khirki Village, Malviya Nagar, New Delhi

2. Ashok Ghosh,
State Secretary, (UTUC),
UTUC Central Committee,
249, Bipin Behari Ganguly Street,
Calcutta, West Bengal

4. Samir Roy,
National Secretary,
Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS),
Cha Shramik Bhawan,
Jalpaiguri, West Bengal

6. S Manickam
General Secretary,
The Hills Plantation Workers Union (HMS),
Valparai,
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

8. J John
Executive Director,
Centre for Education and Communication (CEC)
173-A, Khirki Village,
Malviya Nagar, New Delhi

Express Solidarity with Tea Day by adding your name in this joint call
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by sending a mail to rinju@labourfile.org with your Name,Organization name and Address