In the heart of Sri Lanka, amidst the picturesque tea plantations, a powerful group of voters is preparing to make their voices heard. The country’s tea pickers, the backbone of its economy, are determined to use their collective vote to elect a president who will finally address their dire working conditions.
The tea industry, a vital contributor to Sri Lanka’s foreign income, has long been a source of employment for a large population, particularly the Tamil minority. However, behind the idyllic image of lush green fields lies a harsh reality. Experts describe the working conditions as bordering on modern-day slavery, with low wages, inadequate housing, and limited access to basic amenities.
This year, as Sri Lanka struggles to recover from a devastating economic crisis, the plight of the tea pickers is taking center stage. With the presidential election scheduled for September 21st, all three leading candidates have pledged to address the workers’ demands for better housing and improved living standards.
The Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC), the main political party representing the pickers, is backing incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe. He has promised workers freehold land rights and support for building their own homes. However, skepticism runs deep among the pickers, who have witnessed years of broken promises and economic hardship.
K. Jesmina, a 42-year-old tea picker who shares a cramped two-room home with 10 family members, echoes the sentiment: “Nothing has been done for us. We hope at least after this election, we will get some help.”
The challenges facing the tea industry are complex and multifaceted. Fairtrade, the global sustainability label, highlights issues such as low minimum wages, marginalization of workers, and the legacy of colonial plantation systems.
The plight of the tea pickers came into stark focus in June when a panel of former judges from India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka investigated their living conditions. The panel’s report detailed shocking realities of exploitation, concluding that workers were effectively trapped in bonded labor.
The report, which “shocked the conscience” of the tribunal, revealed a system where workers are paid meager wages, often below the minimum wage, for physically demanding work. They live in overcrowded and unsanitary housing, with limited access to clean water and sanitation.
While the government recently ordered a 70% wage increase for tea pickers, the decree was revoked after employers claimed they could not afford it. This has fueled anger and disillusionment among workers, who feel neglected and taken for granted.
In the upcoming election, many tea pickers are exploring alternative options, considering voting for candidates who offer a more concrete vision for their well-being. They are demanding not just better wages but also a fundamental shift in their treatment and working conditions, hoping for a future where they are no longer seen as expendable labor but valued members of Sri Lanka’s society.
The presidential election offers a crucial opportunity for the tea pickers to finally secure the dignity and respect they deserve. Their vote will be a powerful symbol of their determination to reclaim control of their lives and ensure a brighter future for themselves and their families.
