SEATTLE, Washington — Though the spread of COVID-19 is making impacts worldwide, the virus has brought substantial change to the nation of India, specifically in the Assam Tea plantations. As of June 5, the Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reported the state of Assam’s total number of COVID-19 cases at 2,243. Of those, 1,727 cases were active. The state has reported four deaths due to the virus. Here are five facts about COVID-19 and poverty in India’s Assam Tea plantations.
5 Facts About COVID-19 and Poverty in India’s Assam Tea Plantations
- Before the virus: The state of Assam is located in Northeast India. It is the largest tea-producing region in the world. About 700,000 people work in the tea industry in Assam, about 60% of whom are women. These workers earn an illegally-low wage of Rs 167 per day, equivalent to just $2.21. Many of the workers find themselves stuck in generational poverty and face inadequate living and working conditions. In most Assam tea plantations, workers deal with the problems of malnutrition, limited access to clean water and insufficient healthcare and sanitation facilities. Those at work spraying pesticides find themselves at risk for various medical complications. Furthermore, infant and maternal mortality rates are high. All of these facts represent the fact that the situation in Assam was dire before even factoring in the dangers of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The impact of COVID-19: One study sponsored by the Assam government has estimated that almost half of the state’s population could fall into poverty if the pandemic continues to see the unemployment rate rise. The tea workers of Assam represent one vulnerable population that could be affected. Indian newspaper the Wire has called the tea industry’s preparedness to deal with the dangers of COVID-19 “questionable” at best. The plantations face a lack of health infrastructure, testing resources and quarantine facilities. Workers continue to live “hand-to-mouth” and so are generally not able to combat the difficulties of contracting the virus. Unless the industry takes key steps to protect workers’ health, the tea plantations could suffer heavy losses from COVID-19.
- A step toward better hygiene: Despite the grave situation facing tea workers in Assam, there is cause for hope. On May 21, Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) announced that it would continue its partnership with the organization UNICEF to see essential hygiene products delivered to workers on the Assam tea plantations. It is making items such as “soaps, sanitizers and toilet cleaners” available to plantation workers through its collaboration with UNICEF. HUL and UNICEF also intend to increase awareness of COVID-19 and measures workers can take to prevent the spread of the virus. Improved sanitation and increased awareness surrounding the virus will hopefully reduce the risk of tea plantation workers contracting COVID-19.
- Grassroots efforts: In addition to large-scale efforts like the collaboration between HUL and UNICEF, tea workers are also taking a stand against COVID-19 on the grassroots level. UNICEF has called one woman, Tarali Das, a “COVID-19 warrior.” Tarali Das lives in upper Assam where she works as an early childhood educator on the Dholla Tea Estate. Since young children usually receive food and nutrients from the government via their childcare centers, Das has been providing meals to the children she cared for prior to the pandemic. She also seeks to raise awareness on proper hygiene and child health. As Tarali told UNICEF, “Like any daily-wage earners, tea workers have been affected [by COVID-19]too. Not working can mean sleeping on an empty stomach.” Efforts like Tarali’s can hopefully lead the tea workers of Assam to a brighter future in the face of the pandemic and the growing threat of poverty.
Luckily, organizations like Hindustan Unilever Limited and UNICEF are doing their best to provide hygiene and sanitation to the Assam tea plantations. People like Tarali Das are trying to help the people survive. However, more efforts are necessary to improve the living and working conditions of the people working on the plantations.
– Emily Dexter
Photo: Unsplash