Two iconic tea factories set to bite the dust

Iconic British-era tea factories in Idukki face demolition, leaving former employees without provident fund and gratuity dues.

Two iconic British-era tea factories under Peermade Tea Company (PTC) in Idukki will be consigned to history with the process to demolish them set in motion.

The factories located at Londry and Cheenthalar, near Elappara, were among the first built by British planters in the Peerumade hills, heralding the growth of the tea industry in the region.

Though the company ceased operations in 2000, over 1,300 employees continued to work in the estate, relying on the sale of harvested tea leaves for their livelihood. The workers are yet to receive provident fund and gratuity dues. Last year, the estate owner sold the factories to a private entity for demolition.

For Swami Das, 68, a former employee of the Londry factory, the demolition is deeply personal. “The Londry factory was famously known as Mukkal Kappal (one-third ship) and the Cheenthalar factory as Ara Kappal (half ship). Built in the design of ships, they were the lifeline for hundreds of families,” he says.

“Britishers made the factories with all facilities and I worked there for many years,” says Mr. Swamidas.

K. Surendran, vice president of the High Range Estate Employees Association (CITU), sought to highlight the struggles workers faced after the factories were closed down. “When the owners halted factory operations, hundreds of families were left in distress. That hardship continues even today,” he says.

K.T. Rammohan, economic historian and formerly Dean of Social Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, says these factories have unique “historical and pedagogic value”.