Help save Darjeeling tea by enhancing human rights

AN URGENT DARJEELING TEA BUYERS DIALOGUE

Is the sun setting on the Darjeeling tea industry?

The future of Darjeeling tea is at risk – along with the livelihoods of the thousands that depend on it. THIRST is working with tea companies and local civil society to help reverse this decline.

You can be part of the solution - will you join us?

THIRST’s research reveals a stark gap between human rights standards and reality in the tea industry, driven by factors such as low prices, power imbalances, lack of transparency, and cut-throat competition. Many tea producers are forced to sell below cost, leading to poor conditions - and even closures. Workers are struggling to manage and seek work elsewhere, so labour shortages are putting further pressure on the producers. Young people don't see a future for themselves in Darjeeling tea and are leaving the region to find work elsewhere.

Those are not the kind of stories you want to hear from your supply chain.

But workers and young people tell THIRST they would love to stay – if only they had decent jobs. So THIRST is inviting buyers, producers and others to collaborate on a new, fairer way forward.

This Darjeeling Tea Buyers' Dialogue is the first step.

Unless we act fast - and together - there may be no future for Darjeeling tea. That's why we're inviting buyers of Darjeeling tea - especially those in the specialty tea trade - to come together.

Join us to find out what we are doing to help, and how you can be part of the solution.

Please pass the message on through your networks. The more people who are involved the more likely we are to succeed!