Gendered Vulnerabilities and the Quest for Social Inclusion: An Examination of Marginalisation among Women Tea Plantation Workers in Assam

Women working in tea plantations in Assam have always faced significant disadvantages. This is due to a combination of factors, including their gender, ethnicity, and social class, which collectively marginalise them in society and the workforce. The tea plantation industry in Assam heavily relies on women workers, who constitute over 60% of the workforce but remain marginalised. Despite their significant contribution, they face wage discrimination, sexual exploitation, and physical coercion. Their underrepresentation in trade unions further prevents their involvement in discussions concerning compensation and working conditions. The lack of Scheduled Tribe (ST) recognition has long denied them access to constitutional safeguards, educational reservations, and socio-economic benefits. Resistance from local tribal groups, who claim exclusive indigeneity, has further complicated this demand. They reject the Adivasis' claim to be the sole "sons of the soil" in the region, arguing that this status belongs exclusively to themselves. This paper explores the profound marginalisation experienced by women in Assam's tea plantations and examines existing social protection schemes aimed at improving their socio-economic conditions. The study relies on secondary data collected from government reports, academic literature, news articles, policy briefs, and other relevant sources. The study highlights that inadequate enforcement of labour laws has significant negative consequences for women plantation workers. Moreover, beyond existing challenges, the research reveals a troubling surge in human trafficking and violence against women within tea garden communities. To address this, the paper advocates for a social inclusion framework that champions human rights and gender equality, built on the principles of participatory democracy.