The Stockholm Estate Management Authority, operating under the Horana Plantation Company, has launched a groundbreaking initiative to improve the working conditions of tea plantation workers by introducing a specially designed umbrella. This tool aims to protect workers from the harsh sun and rain, enhancing their comfort and efficiency during tea-picking activities.
For decades, tea pickers have endured challenging weather conditions while performing their labor-intensive tasks. Recognizing this, the estate’s superintendent, Nadeera Gunasekara, emphasized that the umbrella was developed as a practical solution to mitigate these challenges. The innovative design, created as part of a pilot project, was spearheaded by the company’s CEO, J. Rodrigo, and General Manager, Wasantha Gunawardena, in collaboration with the estate’s technical officers.
The umbrella is crafted from lightweight reeds, ensuring it is durable yet easy to handle. Its unique design includes straps that allow workers to wear it securely, leaving their hands free to efficiently pick tea leaves. Workers can effortlessly unfold the umbrella for use and benefit from its ergonomic design, which reduces physical strain and increases productivity.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to address labor retention in the tea industry, which has been grappling with a decline in the workforce. By improving working conditions, the estate company hopes to attract and retain workers while ensuring the sustainability of tea production.
In addition to the umbrella, the plantation workers have also been provided with specially designed tea baskets to streamline their tasks. Many workers have expressed appreciation for these improvements, noting that the umbrella has transformed their daily routines by shielding them from adverse weather and making tea-picking a less arduous task.
Each umbrella, developed at a cost of Rs. 1,600, has been distributed to workers free of charge. The company is also in the process of obtaining a patent for the innovative design, ensuring its unique approach is protected and potentially replicable for other plantations.
This initiative not only highlights the importance of worker welfare in the tea industry but also sets a benchmark for innovation and modernization in traditional agricultural practices. Through such efforts, the Stockholm Estate Management Authority aims to boost productivity, ensure worker satisfaction, and contribute to the long-term growth of Sri Lanka’s tea industry.
