Labour, Trade Union and Tea Industry: Contextualizing Indian Plantation System

Abstract

ABSTRACT The present study tries to examine the correlation between labour, trade union and tea industry in India with particular reference to Darjeeling Tea Industry. In order to understand, complexities between labour, trade union and tea industry in Darjeeling hills, it requires to be discussed the origin of tea industry. As far as the origin of tea industry in Darjeeling hills is concerned, during early 1850s the first experimental tea plantation started. By 1856, experimental tea plantation was transformed into full-fledged commercial industry in Darjeeling hills. Owing to increasing demand of tea, the planters require more labour forces. However, since the beginning of tea industry in Darjeeling, one can understand that the living conditions of workers are said to be poor. As we shall see, the origin of trade union in tea industry began during 1940s to mobilize the workers voice. Thus, this study tries to examine the existing socio-economic conditions of tea garden workers and how trade unions are active to mobilize the workers’ voice. Key words: Labour, Trade Union, Tea Industry, Plantation and Darjeeling.