Industrial Relations in the Indian Tea Plantation Sector: a Study in West Bengal Region

Abstract

Industrial relations in the Indian tea plantation sector are characterized by unstable employment conditions, widespread casualization of labour, limited welfare and social security provisions, and persistent discriminatory and exploitative practices, despite the sector’s sizeable contribution to India’s economy. In recent years, escalated labourmanagement issues arising from various industrial relations factors have taken centre stage in the tea industry in West Bengal. Against this backdrop, the present paper examines the key determinants shaping industrial relations in the tea plantations of West Bengal. Primary data were collected from a stratified sample of respondents, and Factor Analysis was employed to identify the latent dimensions underlying poor industrial relations in the region’s tea sector. The study concludes with recommendations and policy suggestions based on the empirical findings.