abusesaffiliationarrow-downarrow-leftarrow-rightarrow-upattack-typeburgerchevron-downchevron-leftchevron-rightchevron-upClock iconclosedeletedevelopment-povertydiscriminationdollardownloademailenvironmentexternal-linkfacebookfiltergenderglobegroupshealthC4067174-3DD9-4B9E-AD64-284FDAAE6338@1xinformation-outlineinformationinstagraminvestment-trade-globalisationissueslabourlanguagesShapeCombined Shapeline, chart, up, arrow, graphLinkedInlocationmap-pinminusnewsorganisationotheroverviewpluspreviewArtboard 185profilerefreshIconnewssearchsecurityPathStock downStock steadyStock uptagticktooltiptwitteruniversalityweb

This page is not available in Italiano and is being displayed in English

Company Response

20 Set 2023

Tetley's response to alleged human rights abuses in the tea supply chain - September 2023

Thank you for requesting our comment on the mix of news reports shared with us.

We have an established procedure in place to investigate and act on any report which suggests a failing in the protection of human rights. No matter the level of severity, we apply the same investigative rigour to each report we receive.

Our team of buyers make direct contact with the suppliers involved to understand the issue, the context and background to it; immediate actions taken; details of remediation; and information on timed actions to mitigate the risk of a repeat incident.

In addition to supplier responses, we consider feedback from our buyers on what they have witnessed first-hand during most recent buying visits. If appropriate and logistically feasible, a buyer from our regional offices will also visit an estate to provide additional insight and feedback.

At the earliest opportunity appropriate third-party partners such as the Ethical Tea Partnership and Rainforest Alliance are requested to provide assessment from their in-country experts; and co-ordinate any industry-wide response/action considered necessary.

Depending on the severity of the instance reported, results of the investigations are escalated for review by our human rights working group and a decision made on what additional action should be taken by the business....

[...]

Full response included below.

Part of the following timelines

India: Workers fear mass job losses as they are made to uproot tea bushes, incl. co responses

India: Calls for manager's arrest after worker severely injured at tea factory, incl. co. responses

India: Worker killed in machine accident at Assam estate, incl. co. responses

India: Workers unpaid for five weeks and struggling to afford food amid management absence, incl. co. response

Sri Lanka: Worker attacked by leopard at Bridwell Tea Estate, workers say they live in constant fear of attack, incl. co. responses

Tea brands and retailers respond to allegations of rights abuses in the global supply chain

Privacy information

This site uses cookies and other web storage technologies. You can set your privacy choices below. Changes will take effect immediately.

For more information on our use of web storage, please refer to our Data Usage and Cookies Policy

Strictly necessary storage

ON
OFF

Necessary storage enables core site functionality. This site cannot function without it, so it can only be disabled by changing settings in your browser.

Analytics cookie

ON
OFF

When you access our website we use Google Analytics to collect information on your visit. Accepting this cookie will allow us to understand more details about your journey, and improve how we surface information. All analytics information is anonymous and we do not use it to identify you. Google provides a Google Analytics opt-out add on for all popular browsers.

Promotional cookies

ON
OFF

We share news and updates on business and human rights through third party platforms, including social media and search engines. These cookies help us to understand the performance of these promotions.

Your privacy choices for this site

This site uses cookies and other web storage technologies to enhance your experience beyond necessary core functionality.