Plantation sector trade unions expressed disapproval of the plantation companies’ claim that the latter would be unable to continue various welfare programmes for plantation sector communities, including workers, if they had to increase the sector’s workers’ daily wage.

“We don’t want welfare programmes. What we want is a proper salary. We prefer if the Rs. 700 salary hike was provided without welfare programmes because there are no effective welfare programmes,” All Ceylon Estate Workers’ Union Secretary, J.M.A. Premaratne, told The Daily Morning.

Noting that there was no increase in wages whatsoever yesterday (10) – the pay day for many plantation sector workers – and that workers received the usual salary of Rs. 1,000 per day, he expressed concerns about the welfare programmes, some of which he claimed are funded by the Government and foreign funders.  

On 1 May, the Government issued a Gazette notification increasing the minimum wage for plantation sector workers up to Rs. 1,700, a Rs. 700 increase from the current minimum wage of Rs. 1,000. While plantation sector workers responded that although it does not meet their demand for a Rs. 2,000 wage hike, if it was implemented, it would be a relief. However, claiming that it is practically not possible to implement this 70% wage hike, plantation companies sought the court’s assistance, and the court is yet to reach a verdict regarding the matter.