Bandung Regency is one of the green epicenters for the national tea industry. According to BPS, the area of tea-producing plantation commodities reaches 16,766 hectares.
Like a green carpet, the presence of tea plantations in this area has become one of the supporting elements of West Java province, contributing almost 70 percent of the total national tea production.
The grandeur of this commodity's output is inseparable from the role of female tea pickers, who constitute nearly 30 percent of the workforce in this sector. However, behind the expanse of foliage that refreshes the eyes and quenches thirst, the role of female tea pickers faces challenges.
Nyai Sunarsih transports tea leaves at the Malabar Tea Plantation, Pangalengan, Bandung Regency.
The landscape of the settlement and expanse of the Malabar Tea Plantation, Pangalengan, Bandung Regency.
These range from the difficulty of picking tea leaves in steep and rugged areas to challenges regarding equality in the work system and economic issues that affect welfare.
Stemming from this portrait of challenges, in 2023, the Community Development Forum (CDF) was formed as an active collaboration space between village governments, companies, workers, including female workers, and communities. Three CDFs were established with the guidance of CARE Indonesia, in three communities around the Malabar tea plantation - Banjarsari Village, in Pasir Malang - Margaluyu Village, and in Negara Kanaan - Indragiri Village.
Currently, with 169 members, consisting of 133 women and 33 men, the CDF creates a more inclusive space and strives to improve the welfare of communities, including women. The consistency of the forum's impact is not merely formal. The results of collaboration in the economic independence sector are reflected in the creation of three Joint Business Groups (KUBE), namely Warung Enteh, a gas and fertilizer sales shop, and dehydrated lemon production.
Nyai Sunarsih picks tea leaves using a cutting tool at the Malabar Tea Plantation, Pangalengan, Bandung Regency.
Female workers transport the harvested tea leaves at the Malabar Tea Plantation, Pangalengan, Bandung Regency.
These three businesses have succeeded in achieving a total turnover reaching Rp124,500,000 as recorded until last May.
Further, the most fundamental rights for workers, especially female workers, namely the right to sanitation, have also been realized. The collaboration between tea plantation companies, village governments, and communities through the CDF has resulted in the availability of MCK, portable toilets, and permanent toilets. The right to clean water is also reinforced by a 10,000-liter water reservoir for 200 households in Pasir Malang.
The collaboration for protection against Gender-Based Violence and Sexual Violence (GBV-SV), including women and children, has been enhanced through strengthening SAPPANA with the village government.
A scale is placed on top of the harvested tea leaves at the Malabar Tea Plantation, Pangalengan, Bandung Regency.
Female tea leaf pickers use portable toilet facilities at the Malabar Tea Plantation, Pangalengan, Bandung Regency.
In Banjarsari Village, SAPPANA is known to have received and accompanied six cases of GBV-SV. Moreover, to add information, Package Kejar A, B, and C programs are provided to strengthen education that had been interrupted for female workers.
One of the women actively involved in this forum is Nyai Sunarsih. For ten years, this 51-year-old woman has dedicated her life to picking the best tea leaves, and now she is part of the finance team at CDF Margaluyu Village and the KUBE for dehydrated lemon production.
Her participation in KUBE not only increases her economic income but also, according to her, boosts her confidence and ability to voice her opinion for equality. As a result, Nyai Sunarsih has dared to be a speaker in multi-stakeholder discussion forums for the welfare of female tea pickers.
Residents wash their hands at a clean water reservoir in Pasir Malang, Pangalengan, Bandung Regency.
Residents wash their hands at a clean water reservoir in Pasir Malang, Pangalengan, Bandung Regency.
Behind the buds and strands of tea leaves that are picked, communities, including women and workers in the tea gardens, are able to voice their rights, becoming more empowered and equal.
Photo and text: Novrian Arbi
Workers complete the production of dried lemons in Pasir Malang, Pangalengan, Bandung Regency.
Traders handle payments using Qris at the CDF Malabar Tea Shop, Pangalengan, Bandung Regency.
Nyai Sunarsih (left) speaks at a public discussion titled Multistakeholder Collaboration to Achieve Inclusive, Productive, and Sustainable Tea Plantations, at the PTPN 1 Regional 2 Office, Bandung City.
The Sappana Village Team discusses the protection of sexual violence cases in Banjarsari Village, Pangalengan, Bandung Regency.
A historical information board is displayed at the CDF Malabar Tea Shop, Pangalengan, Bandung Regency.
Editor: Ismar Patrizki
The caption is automatically translated by application. Click here for the Bahasa Indonesia version.
