Co-creating family-friendly tea industry

The Centre for Child Rights and Business in Sri Lanka is brewing a transformation in the tea industry as it prepares to host its annual “Co-Creating a Family-Friendly Tea Industry” conference on 17 October 2023, under the theme ‘Dignity’, in the capital of Colombo.

Supported by Save the Children›s Country Office in Sri Lanka and the Planters Association of Ceylon, this multi-stakeholder event marks a significant step forward in the quest for dignity and child rights within the tea sector.

In a remarkable follow-up to last year›s inaugural conference, which was a resounding success in bringing together over 100 stakeholders from the tea industry, Government, unions, civil society, and development agencies, The Centre launched the Child Rights in Business (CRIB) Tea platform. This innovative platform has initiated a culture of collaboration and idea-sharing among stakeholders, igniting a fresh wave of solutions and initiatives.

 At the core of this year’s conference is the mission to co-create solutions for child rights challenges, including critical discussions on key priorities affecting tea plantation communities, encompassing youth skill development, parental care, housing and land rights, fair wages, child protection, education, and gender equity in the tea industry. Notably, The Centre will recognise outstanding Seal members who have demonstrated their commitment to child rights and made positive strides since the CRIB platform was launched.

The Centre CEO Dr. Ines Kaempfer, underscores the importance of making supply chain and business processes family-friendly, elevating the quality of life for employees. “Sri Lanka›s tea industry stands as a shining beacon among tea-producing nations, actively working to enhance productivity and improve the lives of tea estate workers. We call upon more companies to invest in family-friendly supply chains and operational procedures.” 

Echoing this statement, The Centre in Sri Lanka Country Director Ahila Thillainathan, emphasised the goal of embedding child rights in every facet of business operations. “We want to empower businesses to champion children›s rights, especially within manufacturing, agriculture, and raw materials sectors, and we aspire to create meaningful and lasting change that benefits businesses, employees, and children alike.”

Planters Association of Ceylon Media Spokesperson Dr. Roshan Rajadurai, further stressed the need for unified action, particularly in the face of current economic challenges. “For decades, women have been the backbone of Sri Lanka›s tea industry. It is our collective responsibility to safeguard these vulnerable populations.”

Commenting on how partnerships have fostered notable progress, Save the Children’s Country Office in Sri Lanka Country Director Julian Chellappah added: “For over 8 years, Save the Children has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of children in tea estates, supporting local child protection systems and empowering youth to stand up for their rights. Together with our partner, The Centre for Child Rights and Business in Sri Lanka, we launched the ‹Mother and Child-Friendly Seal for Responsible Business,› fostering child rights investments.”

 Central to the conference’s spotlight is The Centre’s ground-breaking “Mother and Child-Friendly Seal for Responsible Business,” introduced in 2022. This pioneering initiative equips businesses to evaluate and address child rights risks within their operations and supply chains, fostering collaboration with diverse stakeholders. For further information on the “Mother and Child-Friendly Seal for Responsible Business,” visit www.srilanka-motherandchildseal.org.

The ‘Co-Creating a Family Friendly Tea Industry’ Conference 2023 is set to bring a diverse group of integral stakeholders to the table in reimagining business practices with dignity and child rights at the forefront.