Malawi Tea 2020 is a collaborative initiative to improve the tea industry in Malawi at every stage of the supply chain. Its aims include improve working standards for women and increasing the low wages of tea laborers.
Problems and Purpose
The tea industry is one the largest employers in Malawi. Whilst wages for tea laborers are considered good by domestic standards, they are still far below international standards for living wages [1].
Malawi Tea 2020 is an initiative bringing together a number of associations, producers, buyers, unions and development organizations involved in the tea industry. The program aims to build a competitive and sustainable tea industry in Malawi that pays workers a decent wage.
Background History and Context
Know what events led up to this initiative? Help us complete this section!
Organizing, Supporting, and Funding Entities
The program involves 22 different partners, including international actors such as Oxfam and major supermarkets, as well as producers and labor unions.
Participant Recruitment and Selection
Know how participants were recruited? Help us complete this section!
Methods and Tools Used
Know what methods or tools were used? Help us complete this section!
What Went On: Process, Interaction, and Participation
Know how people participated or what public interaction looked like? Help us complete this section!
Influence, Outcomes, and Effects
Achievements include: a new wage-setting process with worker representation through collective bargaining between TAML and the Plantation Agricultural Workers Union (PAWU); wage increases for tea workers, which are now 40% more than the minimum wage; local savings groups in tea communities to provide additional income to smallholder farmers; as well as non-financial benefits, such as improved nutrition.
Analysis and Lessons Learned
Want to contribute an analysis of this initiative? Help us complete this section!
See Also
References
[1] Ethical Tea Partnership (n.d.) Malawi Tea 2020. Available at: https://www.ethicalteapartnership.org/malawi-tea-2020/ (Accessed 12.08.2020)
External Links
https://www.malawitea2020.com/
Notes
The first submission of this Participedia entry was adapted from a research project by the Institute of Development Studies, 'Linking Participation and Economic Advancement’ licensed and reproduced under Creative Commons (CC BY 3.0).
Original source: https://www.eldis.org/keyissues/mapping-participation-economic-advancement