Two Kenyan subsidiaries of global tea production giants have lost their certification of sustainable products awarded by the Rainforest Alliance after dozens of sexual abuses occurred on their estates.
The Rainforest Alliance, one of the main organizations that awards this seal worldwide, announced on Thursday the decision to withdraw the certification following an investigation into the matter, which was initially sued by the British chain BBC.
In an investigation broadcast in February, the BBC revealed that more than 70 women working on Kenyan tea estates have reported being sexually assaulted by their superiors.
The Rainforest Alliance conducted its own investigation “on the two tea estates mentioned in the report: one owned and operated by James Finlay (Kenya) Limited (…), the other by ekaterra Tea Kenya PLC”, owns the Lipton brand, among others, the organization said in a statement.
“The audits confirmed non-compliance with the social and management criteria of the Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Standard. Based on these results, we decided to suspend the certifications of the two holders,” he added.
The Rainforest Alliance is an international organization dedicated to “protecting forests and biodiversity, taking action for the climate, advancing the rights of rural workers and improving their livelihoods,” according to its website.
Kenyan authorities also announced investigations after the report was sent out, which investigates the plantations owned by Lipton Teas and Infusion, a company that until 2022 was a subsidiary of British giant Unilever, and also British James Finlay, a subsidiary of the conglomerate Swire. .
Several victims said they had no choice but to give in to their bosses’ sexual demands in order to get or keep their jobs. One said she was infected with the HIV virus, while others became pregnant.
A BBC journalist, posing as a potential employee, was also pressured to agree to sex in exchange for a job.
Following these revelations, Lipton Teas and Infusions and James Finlay announced the suspension of the affected employees who had ordered an investigation.
Source: DN
