Consultation meeting held with Tea Estates Labour Welfare Officers in Dibrugarh

A CORRESPONDENT

DIBRUGARH: As a part of the 'Child Rights and Business Principles' programme initiated by Assam Branch Indian Tea Association (ABITA) in support with UNICEF, a half-day consultation meeting for the Tea Estates Labour Welfare Officers was held on Saturday at the Conference Hall, ABITA Zone 1 Office, Dibrugarh.

The meeting primarily focused on developing an action plan on subjects of importance such as family friendly/welfare policy, prevention of sexual harassment at work place etc visualizing the holistic development of the tea estates. This includes upholding and protecting the rights of children and women in tea gardens. Altogether, 22 TE Labour Welfare Officers from different tea estates of the 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 held with the TE Labour Welfare Officers on November 3 and Novemner 4, 2022 at Doomdooma Planters' Club, Doomdooma, and ABITA Zone 1 Office, Dibrugarh where 27 Welfare Officers from the Tinsukia district and another 22 Welfare Officers from the Dibrugarh district participated respectively.

Barooah stated that the Child Rights and Business Principles programme has been initiated in support with the tea estate management since 2015 for the well being of the workers of the tea industry. He expressed hope to build a positive and productive work force for the industry by ensuring the rights of the workers and their children. He also thanked the UNICEF team from Delhi for conducting the meetings successfully.

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