Bangladesh

Malinichara Tea Estate

• Workers protested non-payment of uplifted wages and dues
• “Sylhet tea workers demand dues”, 21 December 2022, New Age Bangladesh: https://www.newagebd.net/article/189572/sylhet-tea-workers-demand-dues

We appreciate you bringing this matter to the company's attention. At present, we are collaborating with our supply chain partners to gain a deeper understanding of the current conditions at the mentioned tea estate.

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India

Lepetakata Tea Estate

• Workers protested against orders to uproot tea bushes for construction of an industrial estate, fearing the loss of livelihoods for thousands of workers. This follows previous conversion of some of the estate land which resulted in job losses – workers were promised employment in the new industrial plant on the converted land but this did not materialise.
• “Tea plantation workers staged protest in Dibugarh district”, 13 December 2022, The Sentinel Assam: https://www.sentinelassam.com/north-east-india-news/assam-news/tea-plantation-workers-staged-protest-in-dibrugarh-district-627770

LIPTON Teas and Infusions is aware of work undertaken to facilitate widening of a national highway. It is our understanding that the Government of India’s project is also designed to support medium scale industry and ecotourism, promoting employment opportunities for the region’s youth. We are working with our supply chain partners to understand the implications of the project specifically on the tea estate and its workers.

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Dufflaghur Tea Estate

• A worker was killed in an accident involving heavy machinery in the tea estate’s factory. Police have launched an investigation.
• “Assam: Tea Garden Employee Tragically Dies in Freak Accident Inside Factory”, 10 July 2023, Praditin Time: https://www.pratidintime.com/latest-assam-news-breaking-news-assam/assam-tea-garden-employee-tragically-dies-in-freak-accident-inside-factory

The tragic accident is currently undergoing investigation. However, it is our understanding that Mcleod Russel India Ltd has already implemented corrective and preventive measures to avert similar incidents in the future, and remediation was provided to the affected party.

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Sri Lanka

Bridwell Tea Estate

• A worker sustained serious injuries after being attacked by a leopard. Workers reportedly live in constant fear of attacks by wild animals roaming into estates.
• “Estate worker attacked by leopard in Bogawantalawa”, 29 May 2023, Daily Mirror: https://www.dailymirror.lk/front_page/Estate-worker-attacked-by-leopard-in-Bogawantalawa/238-260025

We appreciate you bringing this matter to the company's attention. At present, we are collaborating with our supply chain partners to gain a deeper understanding of the current conditions at the mentioned tea estate.

Full response included below.