Helping at the heart of communities www.ethicalteapartnership.org

In Sri Lanka Ethical Tea Partnership (ETP) and CARE International have implemented Community Development Forums on 13 ETP-monitored Project benefits estates. Building on CARE’s tried and tested approach, and co-funded • Increased pride in estate and with the EU, CDFs have led to a host of positive developments, enjoyment of work, 78% of workers including better relationships between workers and management, increased their attendance at work improved productivity, the advancement of female rights and increased • Fewer strikes and conflicts, 82% worker morale and dignity. of workers felt a greater sense of ownership towards the plantation • Improved productivity, with increases of up to 25% seen by some estates • Increased practical skills and income generation, 78% of workers felt that they were better equipped to manage their finances, 60% of workers increased their plucking rate after training • Improvement in education, medical and recreational facilities, reduction in problems such as alcoholism • Greater interaction between Background Community Development Forums Sinhalese and Tamil communities Tea is one of Sri Lanka’s primary In order to improve the • Improved quality of life, 75% felt export earners and sources of relationship between estate that their overall quality of live had employment. Tea employs around management and workers, improved 10% of the population, the majority Community Development Forums *All figures from an independent source of whom are of Tamil origin, brought (CDFs) have been established to help over from South by the British facilitate open dialogue and resolve when they established the first tea difficult issues. plantations back in the 1800s. CDFs are ‘mini parliaments’ that A wide range of education and Past history still influences give all groups from the estate and development programmes, and the estates and surrounding the local community the opportunity estate improvements are also communities today, with divisions to influence decisions that affect coordinated through CDFs including: between the Tamil and Singhalese their lives. They bring estate • Gender & negotiation skills training communities. Estate structures management, workers, trade union • Work training (plucking techniques) remain hierarchical and the officials, community representatives • Household budget management & relationship between management and government officials together savings schemes and workers is often strained, to discuss work matters and • Estate improvements (e.g. crèches especially during wage negotiations. the wellbeing of the estate and and medical facilities) community in general.

“This mutual respect has made possible a range of practical activities that led to improvements in various aspects of both worker wellbeing and the estates’ productivity.” Dr. Dan Seevaratnam, Chief Executive Officer, Wattawala Plantations A more committed and productive workforce Increased trust and an environment that encourages positive discussions has led to more favourable resolutions to issues for both management and workers. Management staff all reported a reduction in the time they spend each day dealing with workforce related problems. Workers and management understand each others’ needs better and more constructive negotiations and targeted training has led to improved Opportunities for women CDFs have been used to organisation and efficiency of Although the majority of the educate workers about alcoholism plucking, boosting productivity in workforce in the Sri Lankan tea and provided a platform to devise some estates by as much as 25%. sector is female, opportunities for initiatives to tackle it. One Estate them to develop their careers is Manager been able to prevent the Smoother wage negotiations limited. Even the initial supervisory illegal sale of alcohol by offering The overall impact that CDFs level of Kangani (leader of a such vendors fixed-term employment. have made was exemplified during plucking team) has remained a male the wage negotiations in 2009 when preserve. To compound matters, Complying with international a sector-wide ‘go-slow’ campaign it’s also widely accepted for men to standards was organised. While this led to collect the wages of female relatives. ETP also uses the CDF to seek reduced plucking levels on most Women are encouraged to take insight from the workers about the estates, and violence and damage an active involvement in CDFs and estate’s social and environmental to estate property on some, those this has led to them being treated on compliance. In the past management with CDFs in place reported far more equal terms both at work and may have viewed this with suspicion fewer negative impacts, with in the local community. and seen it as a threat. plucking levels remaining This is highlighted by one estate Since its introduction the CDF constant and no appointing its first ever female programme has nurtured strong accounts of damage Kanganis and an increase in the relationships between workers and or violence. number of female employees that management to the extent that they “People collect their own wages. can now sit together and openly discuss where there are gaps feel their vv ideas are Tackling Alcoholism between their performance and the respected and On Sri Lankan tea estates the ETP Standard. This has boosted this gives them brewing and selling of illicit alcohol worker morale, and given them a a sense of pride... is common place, causing a range of stronger sense of dignity by making If I am transferred problems. them a partner of change. to another estate, I would like to replicate this CARE International is one of the world’s leading process aid agencies. As part of its long-running Plantation Communities Empowerment Project (PCEP), CARE Sri there.” Lanka designed the CDF methodology. CDFs are now in operation across 17 estates. For more information, please visit www.careinternational.org.uk Prasanna Premachandra, Deputy Manager, Carolina Estate www.ethicalteapartnership.org