Geo-Economy, Working Conditions and Alternative Livelihoods in Temi Tea Estate, Sikkim

In the entire state of Sikkim, there is only one tea estate namely, Temi Tea Estate (TTE). It is managed by the Government of Sikkim's Department of Industries. The Institute of Marketology Switzerland certified it as organic in 2008, and it produces orthodox varieties of tea. The Geo-economy of TTE covers an area of 177.64 ha and produces about 90 thousand kg of made tea (Approx). The garden employs 450 regular workers and 12 salaried foremen other than management officers and staff. Temi Tea is promoted and marketed both domestically and internationally. They receive one of the highest daily pay rates of any Indian tea plantation, which was 300 rupees (2017), later on, increased to 500 rupees w.e.f. July 2022 (Government of Sikkim (2022) Notification No. 29/DL dated 14.09.2022, Department of Labour, Gangtok) under the provisions of the Minimum Wages Act. The living conditions are decent, and the families have access to running water. They also cultivate vegetables and raise cattle and produce dairy and meat to supplement their income. Garden management supports homestays in the vicinity as an alternative source of income to diversify the labouring community's economy and promote tourism. This has increased the residents of TTE's sense of security and livelihood support.