Stassen Bio Estate, Sri Lanka
Tea is an essential part of the economy in Sri Lanka employing over a million people. Effects of soil erosion, climate change, and the rights of workers have pushed sustainability to the forefront. At Stassen Bio Estate, sustainability is not a trend but an integral way of life since 1992, when it decided to become a Fairtrade certified plantation.
It is the Fairtrade Premium Committee, made up of the workers themselves, not management, which is perhaps one of the most powerful aspects of Fairtrade. The Committee ensures that the top concerns are addressed and that the workers and their families (and the community) receive an immediate benefit. Read more about it