In Episode 6 of the CRIB Child Rights in Business podcast, we discuss challenges related to poverty among tea workers in the global tea industry with Sabita Banerji, CEO and Founder of THIRST, interviewed by Ahila Thillainathan, Sri Lanka Country Director for The Centre for Child Rights and Business.
Despite tea being the world’s second most popular drink after water, the workers who produce it often live in poverty. Sabita sheds light on why this is the case, explaining how the denial of poverty within the tea sector keeps workers from achieving acceptable living standards and the role THIRST plays in raising awareness of this. As young people leave the industry in search of better opportunities, Sabita highlights the importance of acknowledging the problem and taking collective responsibility to address it.
This episode also explores how consumers can play a role in creating change. Sabita argues that it’s not just about paying more for tea, but about understanding its true value—both in terms of quality and ethics.
The conversation also covers creative solutions to achieving living wages for tea workers, gender equity, what the future of the tea industry could look like and more.

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