Guwahati: In an industry where women form the backbone of the plantation workforce but discussions often revolve around production and exports, Luxmi Tea Co Private Limited has won a national award for creating safer workplaces and strengthening women’s rights across its tea estates.
The company was conferred the Excellence in POSH Governance & Compliance Award at the 4th National POSH Conclave & Excellence Awards 2026 in New Delhi.
Organised by NoMeansNo, an initiative of the Centre for Skill Development & Training (CSDT) with support from the Delhi government’s Department of Women and Child Development, the award recognises organisations implementing the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
For India’s tea industry, where women account for a large share of the workforce, the recognition highlights a growing focus on workplace dignity and safety alongside sustainability and productivity.
According to the company, it has organised 144 POSH awareness workshops over the past two years, reaching nearly 10,000 permanent and temporary workers in local languages across tea gardens, factories and corporate offices. Estate-level POSH Champions, strengthened Internal Committees and regular visits by legal teams have been introduced to build trust in the grievance redressal system.
For many workers, the changes have translated into greater confidence.
“Earlier, many of us did not know where to go or whom to approach. Today we understand our rights and know someone will listen. The training has given us confidence to speak for ourselves and to stand beside other women,” said Monumoti Kalandi, a tea plucker and Internal Committee member at Moran Tea Estate.
The initiative has also extended beyond workplace safety into community development.
At Makaibari Tea Estate, women have diversified their livelihoods through beekeeping, honey production and community homestays linked to tea tourism.
At Moran Tea Estate, traditional weaving has been revived as both a cultural and income-generating activity, while women’s self-help groups have launched snack-making enterprises and vermicomposting projects.
Mothers’ Clubs, Adolescent Girls’ Clubs, girls’ football programmes and scholarships for workers’ children have also been introduced to promote education, leadership and financial independence.
Sudhanya Pal, Officer for Sustainability and Women Empowerment, said the effort was aimed at creating lasting behavioural change rather than simply complying with legal requirements.
“Meaningful change happens when awareness evolves into confidence and confidence into leadership. Our goal is to help create workplaces where every individual feels safe, respected and empowered to speak without fear,” Pal said.
Atoli Achumi, Senior Assistant Manager at Narayanpur Tea Estate and Presiding Officer for the North Bank Tea Estates’ Internal Committee, said visible leadership plays a crucial role in encouraging workers to report grievances.
“Creating a safe workplace begins with leadership that is visible, approachable and accountable. When workers know women are part of decision-making and grievance redressal, they are more willing to raise concerns without hesitation,” she said.
Welcoming the recognition, Managing Director Rudra Chatterjee said the award belonged as much to the workers as to the company.
“Tea is ultimately about people. Their dignity, safety and aspirations deserve the same commitment we devote to producing the finest teas. This recognition belongs to every worker and colleague who has helped build this culture—and it is a responsibility to keep raising the benchmark,” he said.
Kolkata-based Luxmi Tea, part of the Luxmi Group, manages 21 tea estates in India and four in Rwanda. As global buyers increasingly evaluate tea companies on environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards, worker welfare and gender equity are emerging as important measures of sustainability alongside the quality of the tea itself.