Empirical Study on Working and Wage Conditions of Tea Factory Workers

28-09-2026

TOPIC : AN EMPIRICAL STUDY RELATING TO THE RIGHT TO ADEQUATE WORKING AND WAGE CONDITIONS OF THE WORKERS IN TEA FACTORIES IN INDIA: A LEGAL STUDY WITH REFERENCE TO THE FACTORIES ACT, 1948 . METHODOLOGY: SURVEY AND INTERVIEWS ]

SUBMITTED BY: THE STUDENTS OF 3YEARS III SEMESTER 

SUBJECT: LABOUR AND INDUSTRIAL LAW -1 

Supervisor: Ms. Dichen Bhutia (Assistant Professor of Law) 

1. MD TASNIM KAUSAR (61)

2. SHWETA BARAI (62)

3. MONTY SAHA (64)

4, SAYANI DAS (65)

 

This empirical study examines the working and wage conditions of workers employed in tea factories in India, with particular reference to the safeguards and welfare obligations contemplated under the Factories Act, 1948. The study seeks to understand the extent to which statutory requirements relating to workplace safety, health, welfare facilities, working hours, rest intervals, overtime, and wage-related conditions are reflected in the actual experiences of tea factory workers.

The study adopted a field-based empirical methodology, primarily relying on surveys and semi-structured interviews with workers and discussions with managerial and supervisory personnel. Field visits and direct observations were undertaken at New Chamta Tea Estate, Sukna, and Mohurgong Tea Estate, Gulma, to understand the working environment, factory operations, welfare facilities, and implementation of statutory requirements.

The researchers are profoundly grateful to the management, administrative officers, and supervisory staff of New Chamta Tea Estate, Sukna, particularly Mr. Inderjit Singh Chauhan, Manager, and Mohurgong Tea Estate, Gulma, particularly Mr. Debjit Kar Gupta, Manager, for granting formal permission to conduct site inspections, field observations, and interactions with workers within the respective processing units and factory premises. Their cooperation in facilitating access to factory operations, explaining manufacturing processes, and providing information regarding welfare arrangements and working schedules significantly contributed to the successful completion of the empirical study.

The study ultimately attempts to bridge the gap between the statutory framework and its practical implementation, thereby assessing the working realities of tea factory workers and identifying areas where legal protections relating to adequate working and wage conditions may require greater attention.