Assam tea plantations implement first wage and housing reforms under buyer compact

A compact between global tea buyers and Indian producers ties purchase volumes to verified wage payments and housing improvements on plantations.

Global tea packers signed a compact with Assam producers linking purchasing commitments to independently verified wage payments, ending the deductions-heavy pay structures that had kept plantation workers in effective debt.

The compact includes a worker-accessible complaint channel and quarterly public reporting, with initial verification covering 180 estates employing over 200,000 workers.