• Estate unions note implementation uncertainty due to companies’ likelihood of challenging Rs. 1,700  

Despite the Government’s decision to increase the daily wage of plantation sector workers to Rs. 1,700, sectoral trade unions remain determined to continue the ongoing protests seeking a wage hike to Rs. 2,000.

Even if the Government’s decision materialised without facing any objections, they note, this amount is not sufficient given the rate at which inflation has increased during the past few years and because it is also unlikely that an ordinary plantation sector worker would receive Rs. 1,700 a day without any conditions. The All Ceylon Estate Workers’ Union Secretary, J.M.A. Premaratne, made these remarks to The Daily Morning in a context where allegations are being levelled that many workers do not receive even the existing Rs. 1,000 minimum wage owing to various conditions imposed by employers.

“The Gazette notification can be challenged until 15 May. Therefore, if plantation companies present objections, this discussion (on wage-related issues) will continue,” he expressed uncertainty about the implementation of the Government’s decision.

Adding that the plantation sector workers expect a wage hike of Rs. 2,000 a day, he opined however that when considering the 33% wage hike proposed by employers, this wage hike to Rs. 1,700 is somewhat satisfactory. He added that even during the period until 15 May where the Gazette can be challenged, protests demanding a Rs. 2,000 minimum wage will continue. 

“We will continue to fight for a salary that matches the cost of living,” he stressed.

The Daily Morning’s attempts to contact the Planters’ Association of Ceylon (PA) to discuss their opinion about the Government’s decision and whether the PA would object to the same proved futile.

However, recently, the PA told The Daily Morning that plantation companies are not averse to the overall proposals seeking wage hikes for plantation sector workers, noting instead that what they oppose is the idea of providing such wage hikes without any equal gain in productivity. Expressing concerns that blanket wage hikes will bankrupt the sector if implemented, because such decisions will not involve productivity that justifies wages or wage hikes, PA Media Spokesperson, Dr. Roshan Rajadurai, said that the long proposed productivity based wage model is the best way to achieve wage related demands.