|
Kenyan strike shows trouble brewing for tea giants
A strike by more than 10,000 tea pickers in Kenya in East Africa has won an 8 percent pay increase. The workers, members of the Kenya Plantation and Agricultural Workers Union (KPAWU) took action in more than 18 estates in the Kericho region. The estates are owned by Unilever Tea Kenya (UTK), which produces brands including PG Tips. Unilever is the world�s largest tea producer, with 12 percent of the world market. The strike, which started on Saturday 8 September, featured bitter confrontations with scabs. The tea industry in Kenya employs 63,000 workers, but tea pickers were traditionally very poorly paid. Interviewed about life as a tea picker, one worker said, "Life here is hard. We work continuously from dawn to dusk, come rain or shine." Another, who has worked picking tea for 34 years, said, "Age is not an issue because I need to work for my family.
Locals weigh in: Favorite tea?
What is your favorite tea, and why? Mia Smith, Portsmouth "I love the blueberry muffin tea by Portsmouth Tea. I like it because I love blueberries and this tea is so blueberry."
Phil Philbrick, Portsmouth "I really like Portsmouth Tea Company's Scottish Breakfast tea because I really like black tea and it's great. It's my morning tea.
I've always loved tea. My favorite afternoon tea is White Heron's Earl Gray. They really know how to make it." Gavin Beaudry, Portsmouth "I would say, my favorite tea is the spicy liquorice mint that White Heron makes, for sure. It's fantastic."
Todd Cary, Portsmouth "My favorite, hands down, is White Heron's Earl Gray. It reminds me of my grandmother and I like the aroma very much.
|
