Hope Returns: Ambootia Tea Garden Resumes Operations

After months of inactivity, life is finally returning to the historic Ambootia Tea Garden: from 21 July, tea leaves are once again being plucked. The reopening marks an important turning point for the region, and especially for the many workers who have been left without a secure livelihood since October 2023.
The tea garden was closed in October 2023 after the previous management abandoned the estate. The sudden closure caused severe economic and social hardship for the workforce, leaving many families in financial distress. But the workers and their trade unions refused to give up. Together, they stood united in their determination to secure a fresh start—and they succeeded.
At a joint meeting on 18 July, the new operating company, Ambootia Tea Company, and an alliance of six trade unions agreed to resume operations. One of the unions' key priorities was the payment of outstanding wages and bonuses. The new management has made it clear that it is committed to meeting these obligations.
We are especially pleased that we know the new operator of the Ambootia Tea Garden very well: Sanjay Bansal, with whom we have enjoyed a close and trusted partnership for many years. We are confident that the tea garden is in good hands under his leadership.
As soon as we received the news, we placed our first order immediately—not only as a sign of our support, but also to provide the Ambootia Tea Company with planning security at this early stage.