Watawala Plantations PLC Estates ease into the Ethical Tea Partnership Programme.
   

With 'Social Responsibility' at the fore front of all concerned, todays’ consumers are increasingly concerned with what they purchase and ensure to make their purchase a very responsible one by making certain that the product they buy has been produced in a socially responsible way.
 
This has placed a greater emphasis on Companies to re look their operations to reflect these concerns, provide a re-assurance to consumers and protect their reputation by having independent monitors audit their operations for compliance with Ethical Tea Partnership Standards that encompasses the Ethical Trading Initiative Base Code, ILO core conventions, Local laws and Collective Bargaining Agreements.
 
It is in this context that Watawala Plantations PLC has joined in with the Ethical Tea Partnership (ETP) programme to provide this assurance in that the tea that is sold is being ethically produced.
 
It is in persuance of this initiative that the following estates of Watawala Plantations PLC had been evaluated and certified as compliant to be recognized as authorized suppliers to the Ethical Tea Partnership.
 
Kenilworth
Carolina
Shannon
Abbotsleigh
Dickoya
Vellai Oya
Strathdon
Henfold
Tangakelle
 
So what are the aims and objectives of ETP ?
The Ethical Tea Partnership was formed by a number of tea packing companies who share three core beliefs, specially that:
They have a shared responsibility for the social and ethical conditions involved in sourcing the tea they buy.
Activities in this area should be non-competitive and apolitcal.
They respect the cultural and legislative differences in tea producing countries and seek to work closely with producers.
 
Monitoring primarily encompasses the following critical areas:
1. Freely chosen employment
2. Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining
3. Health and Safety
4. Child labour and young workers
5. Wages and benefits
6. Working Hours
7. Discrimination
8. Regular employment
9. Harsh or inhumane treatment
(source: ETP website http://www.ethicalteapartnership.org)
 
Watawala in its initiative to be the benchmark organization in the industry has taken steps to ensure that it is at the forefront of all the international standards and norms and the ETP initiative is just another feather to her cap in their march towards excellence.