India: Lockout at Tasati Tea Estate, without consultation with workers or union, incl. co. responses
In July-August 2023, it was reported that management of Tasati Tea Estate in West Bengal had suspended operations at the estate, following a worker-management dispute over changes to the pesticide spraying schedule. Allegedly, management declared a lockout abruptly, with no consultation. Management also failed to provide food rations to some workers. The Business and Human Rights Resource Centre asked Unilever - a buyer from the estate according to its most recently available supplier list - for a response. Lipton Tea and Infusions (formerly ekaterra), which took over most of Unilever's tea business in 2022, was also asked for a response. Lipton responded that it does not source from Tasati Tea Estate. Full responses are included below.