A Young Apprentice

The Tea Pickers of Palampur (and their Children), India. The tea plantation industry is labour intensive; the task of female tea pluckers involves hours of standing, exposing the women to several occupational hazards, such as pesticides and fertilizers. During the peak season, work is physically arduous with no break except for a 45-minute (in some plantations, 30-minute) lunch break. However, in some plantations, weighing of tea occurs during the lunchtime; thus many workers end up queuing and therefore forgoing their break. Furthermore, despite the physical hardship involved in plucking the tea leaves, working hours are the same for all workers irrespective of age, health conditions, and whether women are pregnant or not. Pregnant workers are expected to do the same job and fulfil the task work until they take their maternity leave. many of these women can be see carrying their children whilst plucking the tea, which also poses a health risk to the children.