Modern slavery knowledge in the Sri Lankan tea industry: A case study
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Other Title
Authors
Christ, K.L
Bandara, Saman
Herath, H.M.M.N.
Burritt, R.L.
Bandara, Saman
Herath, H.M.M.N.
Burritt, R.L.
Author ORCID Profiles (clickable)
Degree
Grantor
Date
2025-09
Supervisors
Type
Journal Article
Ngā Upoko Tukutuku (Māori subject headings)
Keyword
Sri Lanka
tea industry
slavery
forced labour
human rights advocacy
supply chain management
corporate social responsibility
Sri Lanka Tea Board
tea industry
slavery
forced labour
human rights advocacy
supply chain management
corporate social responsibility
Sri Lanka Tea Board
ANZSRC Field of Research Code (2020)
Citation
Christ, K L., Bandara, S., Herath, H. M. M. N., & Burritt, R L. (2025) Modern slavery knowledge in the Sri Lankan tea industry: A case study. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 32 (5), 6317-6328. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.70036
Abstract
This paper explores the state of knowledge about modern slavery and its removal in the high-risk Sri Lankan tea industry and the way Sri Lanka can move toward elimination of the practice. Primary evidence gathered through a survey of participants in the tea supply chain in Sri Lanka reveals a perceived low level of understanding of modern slavery risks. In part, this is because of the lack of education and awareness training about the practices. Nevertheless, about three-quarters of participants view modern slavery-related topics as a current and future problem to be addressed. Results also reveal there is little pressure from the dominant, non-Western, downstream purchasers of tea, with trickle-down impacts on suppliers perceived to be ineffective. The Sri Lankan Tea Board is perceived to be well placed to build future education and training programs about addressing modern slavery risk which may prove crucial to the industry's future prospects.
Publisher
ERP Environment and John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Permanent link
Link to ePress publication
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.70036
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Authors
Copyright notice
CC BY-NC-ND Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International