Tea estate workers in Sreemangal, Bangladesh, say their work is much harsher now due to increased heat and more torrential rains, endangering their health and sometimes making it impossible to reach their daily quota, cutting into their already meager wages.
An estimated 13 million people in 48 countries work on tea plantations around the world, mostly women who are paid low wages and have few or no health and safety protections. Tea plantation workers often are forced to rely on their employers for food, housing and education, adding to their vulnerability.
Workers in the Bangladesh Cha Sramik Union, a Solidarity Center partner, have achieved workplace improvements not offered at nonunion plantations, with employers required to provide daily hour-long lunch breaks and a medical facility.
Union leaders like Sreemati Bauri, a tea estate field supervisor and union leader, say more must be done–corporations in the global tea supply chain must step up to ensure decent work.
“Tea workers give a lot of sweat for their work.”
Credit: Solidarity Center / Gayatree Arun
At 10 a.m., Bangladesh tea workers begin their march across tea garden fields, where they walk long distances on their way to pick tea leaves. Each worker is assigned to pluck up to 25 kilograms (55 pounds) of leaves and get paid 170 taka ($1.55) a day if they meet their quota.
Credit: Solidarity Center / Hasan Zobayer
Shefali Rani, 35, has been a tea worker for 20 years. She has five children, all of whom studied in a primary school in the garden, where education beyond grade school is not offered.
Credit: Solidarity Center / Gayatee Arun
Families often spend their lives living in and working on tea estates, including Bashonti Devi, 40, who, with her husband, picks tea leaves to support their three daughters and son.
Credit: Solidarity Center / Hasan Zobayer
There is no escape to the shade for workers like Shefali Rani and Mithila Nayek on tea plantations, where the plants require direct sun and high humidity.
Credit: Solidarity Center / Hasan Zobayer
“It often happens that in a heat wave, it’s a hardship to meet the daily quota and so they can’t make the daily wage of 170 taka ($1.55),” says Sreemati Bauri, a field supervisor and union leader. “If a worker can’t make their daily target, it’s difficult to survive. Due to the heat, it has become too hot for them to get their wage.”
Credit: Solidarity Center / Hasan Zobayer
A Bangladesh tea worker hydrates in the scorching heat. Climate change-related hardships add to tea workers’ already harsh working conditions.
Credit: Solidarity Center / Gayatree Arun
“The heat is more excessive than before,” says Sumon Kumar Tant, a field supervisor and union member. “It’s as if they have to carry two times the burden—one the burden of tea leaves on their back, and the other, the weight of the heat.”
Credit: Solidarity Center / Gayatree Arun
Ram Dashee picked tea leaves for 50 years, and now works in the garden nursery. Her daughter also is a tea worker.
Credit: Solidarity Center / Gayatree Arun
Tea workers carry heavy bags of leaves all day as they pluck tea plants, returning to the weighing station at the end of the day with up to 55 pounds of leaves.
Millions of workers—most of them women—face intimidation, humiliation, physical and verbal assault, and worse on the job. A July 27, 2023, international summit in southern Africa gathered representatives from the governments of Argentina, Canada, Germany, Lesotho, Spain and the United States—along with dozens of leaders from unions, business and worker and women’s rights organizations—to highlight and advance efforts to end gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) in the world of work, with a focus on southern Africa.
Hosted by the Multilateral Partnership for Organizing, Worker Empowerment and Rights (M-POWER),* Lesotho Federation of Trade Unions (LFTU) and Lesotho Labor Council (LLC), the daylong summit explored how governments, corporations and unions can eliminate GBVH at work, particularly by ratifying and codifying International Labor Organization Convention 190 (C190) on violence and harassment, and by replicating the negotiated and binding Lesotho Agreements in supply chains elsewhere.
(Photos: Solidarity Center/Institute of Content Engineering)
OPENING SESSION
Kingdom of Lesotho Prime Minister Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane (R) greets U.S. Department of State Special Representative for International Labor Affairs Kelly M. Fay Rodríguez (L) and United States Embassy Lesotho Deputy Chief of Mission Keisha Toms.
“We are all witness to the ever-increasing instances of gender-based violence and harassment at the workplace, not only in Southern Africa but across our beloved continent,” said Prime Minister Matekane, noting that Lesotho has committed to ethical sourcing through the U.S. African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA) and the U.S. Millennium Challenge Compact II.
Below: Harry Nkhetse, senior facilitator and leadership coach, Tobaka Consultants, Mountain Peak Business Solutions, and summit co-emcee, with Marieke Koning, co-emcee and ITUC policy adviser.
THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENTS IN ELIMINATING GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AND HARASSMENT AT WORK: C190
Eradication of GBVH is an urgent, compelling global challenge that will only be resolved when workers have the power to bring about change, for which they need rights to freedom of association and of collective bargaining, said Marieke Koning. The panel included government representatives from Argentina, Germany and Lesotho.
Collective bargaining agreements are the most effective mechanism for implementing progressive laws in Argentina’s experience, said Cecilia Cross, Argentina’s undersecretary for inclusion policies in the world of work (below left). “For Germany, the reason to ratify is that C190 sends such a strong global signal—that it really defines globally what is harassment at work,” said Dr. Anna Montén-Küchel, first secretary, labor and social affairs, German missions in South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini.
“Efforts must be made at the global level as national efforts alone are not enough to tack this issue, which knows no borders,” said Joaquín Perez Rey, Spain’s secretary of state for employment and social economy, by video. “Gender-based violence and harassment have no place in our workplace,” he added.
U.S. GLOBAL LABOR PRIORITIES
Kelly M. Fay Rodríguez described the Lesotho Agreements as a model for other employers in Lesotho and beyond, and M-POWER as a vehicle for mobilizing like-minded governments to participate. “Culture change is required to create the conditions that allow workers, their families and their communities to thrive,” she said.
HOW WORKERS AND COMPANIES ARE ADDRESSING GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AND HARASSMENT IN A GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN: FOCUS ON THE LESOTHO AGREEMENT
“I experienced so much harassment at the factory before the program at Nien Hsing was established,” said Popoti Ntebe, a UNITE member and factory worker. “Because of the high level of unemployment in our country, workers tend to be harassed because of poverty.”
THE ROLE OF TRADE UNIONS IN CREATING SAFER, FAIR AND HEALTHY WORKPLACES FREE FROM HARASSMENT AND VIOLENCE
To protect rights better, unions and other activists must maximize pressure on government, said Teboho Tolo (R), LFTU president, presenting with Zingiswa Losi, president, Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU). “We must mobilize support!” he said.
WOMEN WORKERS’ PARTICIPATION IN DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE
Sethelile Ntlhakana, Lesotho field representative for Worker Rights Consortium, moderates the session.
Gloria Kente, an organizer with the South African Domestic Services and Allied Workers Union (SADSAWU), in yellow, leads fellow panelists Mathekiso Tseote, NACTWU shop steward (left); Leboela Moteban, LFTU gender focal person; Thato Sebeko, LLC member; and Puleng Selebeli, United Textile Employees (UNITE) member, in song.
“No struggle can be won without women’s participation,” said Mathekiso Tseote.
CLOSING STATEMENTS AND COMMITMENTS
“The world is watching; this is a precedent,” said Laura Gutierrez, AFL-CIO global worker rights coordinator, about the Lesotho Agreements. The AFL-CIO in partnership with its M-POWER colleagues wants to replicate this kind of program in the region and around the world, she said, because “M-POWER partners together recognize that in order to advance worker rights, ALL workers must have the power and ability to organize freely.”
“We must highlight [C190’s] importance as a key instrument in bringing an end to violence and harassment at work and in particular ensuring that women have a safe place to work,” said Chris Cooter, high commissioner for Canada in South Africa, by video.
The M-POWER GBVH project’s launch in Lesotho marks the milestone that Lesotho has committed to upholding worker rights through promotion of decent work for all workers in all economic sectors, said Richard Ramoeletsi, Lesotho minister of public service, labor and employment, in closing remarks.
MORE FROM THE EVENT
* M-POWER is a historic global initiative focused on ensuring working families thrive in the global economy and elevating the role of trade unions and organized workers as essential to advancing democracy. The government of the UnitedStates and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) co-chair M-POWER, joined by steering committee members: the governments of Argentina, Canada and Spain; the International Domestic Worker Federation; the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU); the AFL-CIO; and Funders Organized for Rights in the Global Economy (FORGE). Additional partners include the governments of France, Germany and South Africa, Business and Human Rights Resource Centre, Global Labor Justice-International Labor Rights Forum, ProDESC, Solidarity Center and Worker Rights Consortium.
To mark 25 years in Mexico, the Solidarity Center convened a forum on the country’s labor reform process and staged a photo exhibition at the Mueso Memoria y Tolerencia. The exhibit, Reflejos de Lucha: Miradas sobre el movimiento laboral en América del Norte (Reflections of Struggle: Insights into the North American Labor Movement), documents the democratization of labor relations in Mexico and the struggle of the independent labor movement for a more just and equitable global economy. Photographers Kevin Lara, Arturo Left, Ulises Vidal, Noboru Yorugi with special guest David Bacon, an author and photojournalist specializing in labor union issues, contributed work to the show.
Kyrgyzstan, May Day 2023. Credit: Aizhan Ruslanbekova/Solidarity Center
Sri Lanka, May Day 2023. Credit: Prasdhini Niroshika/Solidarity Center
Philippines, May Day 2023. Credit: Andreanna Garcia/Solidarity Center
Migrant domestic workers join with their Jordanian union brothers and sisters to celebrate May Day and campaign together for equal rights and wage protections for workers regardless of citizenship status. Credit: Sara Khatib/Solidarity Center
Kyrgyzstan, May Day 2023. Credit: Aizhan Ruslanbekova/Solidarity Center
Mexico, May Day 2023. Credit: Luis Iván Stephen
Philippines, May Day 2023. Credit: Andreanna Garcia/Solidarity Center
Dozens of union leaders from across Africa took part in the first-ever Summit for Democracy event on the continent March 30, where they discussed the essential role of unions in strengthening democracy and shared strategies on how unions can step up efforts to advance democracy through one of its most essential components—worker rights. Co-hosted by the Multilateral Partnership for Organizing, Worker Empowerment and Rights (M-POWER) and the Zambian Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU), the day-long conference included interactive sessions focused on strengthening democracy and opening rapidly closing civic space in Africa.
“Amplifying the Voices of Workers to Safeguard Democracy in Africa” was an official side event of the second Summit for Democracy, a global democracy initiative co-hosted by Costa Rica, the Netherlands, South Korea, the United States and Zambia March 28–30, 2023. The second Summit showcased progress made by Summit partners on their commitments in the first year of the global initiative—M-POWER is one of the largest commitments made by Summit partners.
“There’s no democracy without workers.” – Joy Beene, Secretary General, ZCTU
Christopher Johnson, Regional Program Director, Solidarity Center gives a big shout out to ZCTU for hosting the Summit for Democracy and to M-POWER which seeks to ensure worker rights are respected and promoted.
Matthew Parks, Parliamentary Coordinator, Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) describes workers’ struggles for rights as also a fight to improve the lives of their children.
“Unions are essential to democracy; if we believe in democracy we need strong labor movements.” – Thea Lee, Deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs, U.S. Department of Labor (Photo: Solidarity Center)
DECLINING LABOR AND HUMAN RIGHTS STANDARDS ON THE AFRICAN CONTINENT
“Unity among workers is most important. Employers and the government will only recognize us when we can stay united as working people.” – Japhet Moyo, Secretary General, ZCTU
Bheki Mamba, President, Trade Union Congress of Swaziland describes deteriorating human rights and worker rights in Eswatini where government authorized shooting protestors, killing over 80 people with hundreds arrested on trumped up charges.
Kassahun Follo, President, Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Unions, says in past 6 months, more than 60 workers have been killed during current violence in Ethiopia.
THE ROLE OF WORKERS IN DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNANCE IN AFRICA
“How can we enjoy our rights as workers if we can’t express ourselves?” – Richard Mulonga, Chief Executive Officer, Bloggers Association of Zambia
Dan Mihadi, General Secretary, Transport Workers Union – Kenya, stresses the importance of workers and their unions to be involved in the political process to facilitate the growth of democracy.
HOW WORKERS CAN STRENGTHEN DEMOCRACY THROUGH ELIMINATION OF STATE CAPTURE AND CORRUPTION IN AFRICA
Annette Chipeleme-Chola, Director, Organizing & Trade Union Development, Zambia Congress of Trade Unions and Worker Member, ILO Governing Body
“Unions can help end corruption and state capture through partnerships like M-POWER while speaking more to how people can benefit from democracy.” – Joel Odigie, Deputy General Secretary, International Trade Union Confederation-Africa
YOUTH & WOMEN WORKERS’ PARTICIPATION IN DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE
“The voice of workers will not be heard unless they are free to organize themselves into unions.” – Toindepi Dhure, General Secretary, Zimbabwe Domestic and Allied Workers Union
Alex Nkosi, Coordinator, ITUC-Africa, shares examples of young activists who led movements for independence as examples of how the union movement needs to nurture youth leadership & participation to build & strengthen democracy.
“The definition of democracy says it represents the interests of citizens. Is that just men? No, it’s also women. Everyone must be represented for there to be democracy.” – Naomi Kimbala Lunat, Director-Gender, Youth and Child Development, Zambia Congress of Trade Unions
CLOSING STATEMENTS
“Threats to workers … union busting, gender-based violence, are threats to democracy. The global labor movement is at the heart of promoting democracy through freedom of association.” – Lisa Peterson, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Bureau, U.S. State Department
MORE FROM THE EVENT
Joel Odigie and a group of newly organizing Marriott hotel workers
Paddy Mukando, Master of Ceremonies
M-POWER is a historic global initiative focused on ensuring working families thrive in the global economy and elevating the role of trade unions and organized workers as essential to advancing democracy. It includes steering committee members from governments, philanthropy and labor organizations, including the AFL-CIO, Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), International Domestic Workers Federation (IDWF) and International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC); the governments of Argentina, Canada, Spain and the United States; and Funders Organized for Rights in the Global Economy (FORGE). The Solidarity Center is a partner.
From Haiti to Kenya, Nepal and Palestine, hundreds of thousands of workers and their families celebrated International Workers Day last week, honoring the dignity of work and the accomplishments of the labor movement in defending human rights, job stability, fair wages and safer workplaces. Together, workers and their unions demonstrated their commitment to sustaining and improving worker lives.
Here is a roundup of May Day events by Solidarity Center allies around the globe.
[Above: In Jordan, leaders of the Domestic Workers Network (DWN) rallied in support of migrant domestic and agricultural workers and against gender-based violence at work, the kafala system—in which migrant worker visas are tied to a specific employer—and a new labor law they say is unacceptable.]
Georgia, May Day 2019. Credit: GTUC
3,000 union members gathered in front of the government chancellery in Tbilisi, Georgia, requesting that the prime minister sign a social contract between citizens and the government whereby government accepts the responsibility of ensuring social equality and democracy in the country.
Guatemala, May Day 2019. Credit: Maria Elena Sabillon Paz, Solidarity Center
Haiti, May Day 2019. Credit: Reginald Lafontant, GOSTTRA
Honduras, May Day 2019. Credit: Red Contra La Violencia AntiSindical
May Day 2019, Burma (Myanmar). Credit: .Jamie Davis/Solidarity Center
Kenya, COTU-K youth celebrate May Day 2019. Credit: ITUC-Africa
Maldives, May Day 2019. Credit: Sonia Mistry, Solidarity Center
Nepal, May Day 2019. Credit: Joint Trade Union Coordination Center (JTUCC)
In Kathmandu, approximately 3,500 members from 27 affiliate unions participated in a May Day rally organized by the Nepal Trade Union Congress (NTUC) under the slogan: “Decent work for sustainable development: Strengthen democracy and prosperity.”
Nigeria, May Day 2019. Credit: Craig Phelan, Solidarity Center
Palestine, May Day 2019. Credit: Solidarity Center
More than 1,000 union members from cities in the West Bank gathered in Ramallah to rally under the slogan: “Freedom, dignity and social justice .”
Members and supporters of the Kurdistan United Workers Union (KUWU) rally outside Parliament in support of a new labor law. Kurdistan, Iraq, May Day 2019. Credit: Soran Fareeq, Solidarity Center
Members and supporters of the Kurdistan United Workers Union (KUWU) rallied outside Parliament in support of a new labor law.
Kyrgyzstan, May Day 2019. Credit: Lola Abdukadyrova, Solidarity Center
Hundreds of union members commemorated workers’ solidarity at a May Day marathon and concert organized by the Metallurgy and Mining Workers’ Union of Kyrgyzstan (MMTUK).
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