WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1390/96 by Johanna MAIJ-WEGGEN to the Commission. Problems of small tea producers in India
Date: 1996-06-06
Institutions: European Parliament, MAIJ-WEGGEN
Subjects: EU aid, India, International Labour Office, child labour, female work, generalised preferences, international market, price reduction, smallholding, tea













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91996E1390

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1390/96 by Johanna MAIJ-WEGGEN to the Commission. Problems of small tea producers in India  


Official Journal C 305 , 15/10/1996 P. 0091 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1390/96 by Johanna Maij-Weggen (PPE) to the Commission (6 June 1996)Subject: Problems of small tea producers in India1. Is the Commission aware that as a consequence of the fall in tea prices on the international market, small tea producers in South India now face serious problems, with the result that the wages of women in this sector have fallen sharply and poverty among families has risen steeply?2. Is the Commission aware that child-labour in used extensively in this sector, and that as a consequence of the price fall there has been even more switching over to child-labour at wages much lower even than those paid to women?3. Is the Commission prepared, within the framework of the Generalized Preferences Scheme, to set up an inquiry into working conditions for women and children in this sector in India?4. Is the Commission prepared to investigate whether assistance can be given to small producers, for example by developing a hallmark to promote fair trade in tea, supporting tea cooperatives in the South that are producing in a socially and ecologically responsible fashion and providing cooperative credit and offering education for women tea workers and small tea producers?5. Will the Commission take steps to ensure that henceforth only 'fair trade' tea will be sold on the premises of European Union institutions?Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (15 July 1996)1. The Commission is aware of the problems facing the tea industry as a result of the decline in world tea prices over the last fifteen years, and that 1994 was a particularly bad year. The Commission shares the concern of the Honourable Member about the impact this had on the wages of women employed in the sector.2. In effect, women constitute a major part of the workforce in the tea sector and the risk of their replacement by cheaper child labour is real. In order to combat exploitative practices in the tea industry and elsewhere, the Commission is currently reinforcing its links with the International labour office (ILO) through the International programme for the elimination of child labour (IPEC) which aims to ensure that the use of child labour conforms to international conventions. The Commission feels that such positive measures could prove more constructive than introducing trade barriers against certain producers which tend to deflate prices and only further encourage the exploitative use of child labour.3. Council Regulations (EC) No 3281/94 ((OJ L 348, 31.12.1994. )) and (EC) No 1256/96 ((OJ L 160, 29.6.1996. )), which apply the multiannual scheme of preferences in the industrial and agricultural sectors respectively, give the Commission no powers to undertake an investigation into the labour practices of which the Honourable Member complains.4. The possibility of granting a quality mark should be studied carefully. The first results of quality labelling for tropical timbers and carpets will have to be examined in order to evaluate the performance of such schemes.5. The Commission could re-examine its purchase of tea if a quality mark is introduced but cannot speak on behalf of the other European institutions.