Panchthar, Aug. 18 -- The tea bushes at the Pathibhara Tea Estate, spread across 51 hectares in Panchthar, an eastern hill district, are flush with fresh shoots these days.

The estate plucks and processes the 'two leaves and a bud' used to make high-quality premium loose-leaf tea, which it exports to third-country markets.

The factory has the capacity to employ up to 50 workers a day. However, only 10 to 15 workers are currently working at the estate in Falelung and Yangwarak rural municipalities.

Pathibhara, located at Charibhanjyang, is not alone. Most tea gardens in eastern Nepal are currently waiting for workers to pluck tea leaves. Tea gardens and factories pay workers Rs110 per kg for plucking leaves. In addition, workers receive...