Witness History

The strike that shook up India's tea industry

10 snips
Oct 1, 2025
In 2015, women tea pickers in India staged a fearless strike demanding better wages and working conditions. Initially starting with just 21 protesters, the movement quickly spread across 36 estates, showcasing their unity and determination. Community support poured in as they maintained a nine-day sit-in. The resulting government intervention led to significant concessions from the tea company, paving the way for increased empowerment and improved quality of life for these women. The strike marked a pivotal moment in their fight for dignity and rights.
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ANECDOTE

Leader From The Fields

  • Rajaswari emerged as a leader during the protest that began on 7 September 2015 in Munnar when hundreds of women marched to KDHP headquarters.
  • The strikers were low-caste tea pickers who had come together after feeling betrayed by both company and union.
ANECDOTE

Microphone Moment Sparked Mass Strike

  • The strike began after a union meeting where women from Periyawarai Estate grabbed and broke the microphone in protest.
  • What started with 21 women quickly expanded to thousands from 36 estates after TV coverage.
INSIGHT

Productivity Didn’t Translate To Pay

  • Women demanded a rise from 231 to 500 rupees daily and a doubled bonus after higher productivity yielded no pay increase.
  • Their demands exposed how productivity gains were not shared and highlighted distrust of the union's alignment with management.
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