DIBRUGARH, NOV 5: As a part of the “Child Rights and Business Principles” program initiated by Assam Branch Indian Tea Association (ABITA) in support with UNICEF, a consultation meeting of tea estates labour welfare officers was held at the Conference Hall, ABITA zone 1 office in Dibrugarh on Saturday.
The meeting primarily focused on developing an action plan on subject of importance such as family friendly welfare policy, prevention of sexual harassment at work place etc visualising the holistic development of the tea estates. This includes upholding and protecting the rights of children and women in tea gardens.
Altogether 22 tea estate labour welfare officers from different tea estates of Dibrugarh district participated in the meeting where formulation of family friendly policy with action plan to ensure certain rights of children and women in tea gardens were discussed. The meeting detailed on strengthening of sexual harassment complaint committee in each tea estate with giving more focus on follow up with sexual harassment cases in tea estates.
Madhurjya Barooah, Secretary ABITA Zone 1 said that in connection with the subject another two consultation meetings were held with the tea estates labour welfare officers on November 3 and 4 at Doom Dooma Planters’ Club, Doom Dooma and ABITA Zone 1 Office, Dibrugarh where 27 welfare officers from Tinsukia district and 22 welfare officers from Dibrugarh district participated respectively.
Barooah stated that the Child Rights and Business Principles program has been initiated in support with the tea estate management since 2015 for the well being of the workers of the tea industry. He stressed on the importance of building a positive and productive work force for the industry by ensuring the rights of the workers and their children.
