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🇳🇵 Nepal /Economy & Trade

Tea industry shutdown puts 60,000 workers at risk after India tightens export rules

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • India's tightened export rules have halted tea production in eastern Nepal, affecting an estimated 60,000 workers.
  • Factories and estates in Ilam and Jhapa have ceased operations due to additional Indian customs checks and expanded quality testing procedures.
  • Workers face a severe income crisis, with many resorting to borrowing or seeking work elsewhere, while industry stakeholders call for urgent diplomatic action and relief measures.

The usually bustling tea gardens of Jhapa's Giribandhu Tea Estate are now silent. India's recent tightening of export procedures for Nepali tea has forced more than 50 factories and estates in Ilam and over 30 in Jhapa to halt operations. This shutdown has left an estimated 60,000 workers and staff in eastern Nepal without income, with daily wage laborers bearing the brunt of the crisis.

Keeping the household running has become a massive struggle. This was our only source of income, and now it’s gone.

— Amber Bahadur Tamanga 58-year-old worker at Giribandhu Tea Estate, describing the impact of the shutdown on his household.

Workers describe a desperate struggle for survival. Amber Bahadur Tamang, 58, from Giribandhu Tea Estate, stated, "Keeping the household running has become a massive struggle. This was our only source of income, and now it’s gone." Khinamaya Bastola, another worker, expressed constant worry about food security, saying, "Now there is no work, and I am constantly worrying about how we will manage to eat." Hari Bahadur Darji highlighted the vulnerability of laborers, noting, "Industrialists, traders and the government may have cushions or alternatives, but workers have nothing except daily jobs."

We used to work all day just to put food on the table in the evening. Now there is no work, and I am constantly worrying about how we will manage to eat.

— Khinamaya Bastolaanother worker at the estate, highlighting the immediate food insecurity caused by the closure.

The impact extends beyond individual households, affecting transporters, small traders, and local businesses reliant on the tea economy. Many families are borrowing money or buying essentials on credit, while younger workers are migrating in search of employment. Parman Murmu, 58, lamented the complete loss of income for his household, "A week’s work used to keep us afloat. Now that stream is completely blocked." Shantiwoti Rajbanshi echoed the sentiment, stating, "But right now, our biggest worry is how we are going to feed ourselves."

Industrialists, traders and the government may have cushions or alternatives, but workers have nothing except daily jobs.

— Hari Bahadur Darjia worker at Tokla Tea Estate, emphasizing the disproportionate impact on laborers.

The shutdown occurs during the peak "first flush" harvest period, leading to wilting leaves on tea bushes that are not being plucked. Industry stakeholders and workers are urgently calling for diplomatic engagement to resolve the export issues and for immediate relief measures to support the affected communities. The disruption began in Ilam on June 15 and spread to Jhapa after Indian customs authorities introduced new checks and expanded quality testing procedures.

A week’s work used to keep us afloat. Now that stream is completely blocked.

— Parman Murmua 58-year-old worker at Kalika Tea Estate, explaining the loss of his and his wife's combined income.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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