"‘Horrified’ by plight of Sri Lanka’s plantation workers, says tribunal", 12 June 2024

An international tribunal of prominent judges from the region said it was “horrified by the stark realities” of the lives of Sri Lanka’s tea and rubber plantation workers, after hearing testimonies from workers and trade unions.

Hailing from the island nation’s Malaiyaha Tamil community, tens of thousands of workers are engaged in tea and rubber production.

...

the workers, mostly women, shared the multiple challenges they encounter at work, such as the demanding targets tied to their daily wage and the absence of basic sanitation facilities. Leech bites and wasp attacks are common, while medical care remains out of reach, more so amid soaring living costs following the country’s crisis. Speaking of her family being forced to ration meals to cut down expenses, a worker employed in tea plantations for over 20 years, said: “Let alone having three meals, I have not been able to afford a cup of tea with milk in years. If at all I can, it is plain tea once in a way.”

...

In his remarks at the conclusion of the hearing, Justice Shah noted: “they live practically a sub-human life, and certainly do not have a life of dignity”.

...

Findings and Recommendations as presented by the Justices is attached in its entirety.