Updates, blog posts and events from THIRST
THIRST brings you a range of news, analysis and events to help you keep track of human rights and environmental developments in the tea industry around the world. These include announcements of new publications and events such as discussions on topical issues, monthly news updates and thought provoking blogs. We welcome news, guest blogs and suggestions of topics for future TEA Talks from all sections of the tea sector – but especially civil society.
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Recruitment
THIRST Trustee recruitment
THIRST is governed by a Board of Trustees which currently has six members. Between them they bring a wide range of valuable expertise, knowledge and connections to the organisation in […]
Monthly update
THIRST News Update - December 2022
Highlights: Repatriated Sri Lankan tea workers at risk of redundancy, homelessness; to poverty and other problems for tea workers and farmers persist; solutions offered include tech, training, family friendly policies, […]
Blog post
Tea producers: tell us your side of the story
For almost two centuries, since the inception of the tea industry, criticism for low pay and poor living and working conditions for tea workers has been directed primarily at owners […]
Monthly update
THIRST News Update - November 2022
Highlights: Tea industry under widespread strain; women tea workers can – and do – break cultural stereotypes; new resources on THIRST Knowledge Hub; invitation to take part in tea producer […]
Monthly update
THIRST News Update - October 2022
Highlights: Kenyans sue UK government for land theft, abuses; human rights abuses persist across tea origins; climate crisis and fluctuating prices drive tea farmers to alternative income sources; wage struggles […]
Monthly update
THIRST News Update - September 2022
Highlights: Bangladeshi tea workers win half demanded wage rate; smallholders demand better prices; health and safety legal action by Finlays workers resumes; five die in climate-related accidents. Image: Tea workers […]
Monthly update
THIRST News Update - August 2022
Highlights: Financial crises prompt innovation & alternative use of tea land; gov’s recognise deprivation of tea workers; small tea growers struggle in Kerala, thrive in Kenya; inflation erodes wage rises, […]
Blog post
UPDATE: Human Rights Impact Assessment of the Tea Sector
THIRST is conducting a human rights impact assessment of the tea sector. Working with civil society and industry across the world, it is exploring how the human rights of women […]
Monthly update
THIRST News Update - July 2022
Highlights: Oxfam chief challenges tea industry purchasing policies; ILO landmark decision – health & safety is fundamental right; human/animal conflict on the rise in tea areas; THIRST full literature review […]
Blog post
Monthly update
Tea prices are too low! ...and other roundtable insights
On 31 May 2022 a group of close to 50 tea sector stakeholders took part in a virtual roundtable to reflect on the findings of THIRST’s literature review, Human Rights […]
Monthly update
THIRST News Update - May & June 2022
Highlights: Ukraine war impacts tea exports. Severe hailstorms, rain & temperature rises hit Kenyan and Indian tea; new climate-adapted tea varieties & tech solutions in development. Sri Lanka economic crisis […]
Blog post
Human Rights in the Tea Sector - The Big Picture: Literature Review
THIRST’s new report – drawing on over 200 authoritative references – finds that despite a plethora of human rights standards, policies and conventions, and a thriving industry, breaches of the […]