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Estate workers to strike if they’re denied pay talks

03 Oct 2022

BY Mirudhula Thambiah The Ceylon Estate Staff Union (CESU) yesterday (2) warned that estate workers would opt for an islandwide strike unless they are invited to another round of discussions with the plantation companies within this week regarding a salary hike. CESU General Secretary Robert Francis told The Morning yesterday that they would engage in an islandwide strike if they are refused appointments to meet the officials of the Employer’s Federation of Ceylon (EFC). “We would have to engage in an islandwide strike if we are not called for another round of discussions. We would have to go ahead with an islandwide struggle. Our Talawakelle picketing campaign on 1 October was to protest against the considerably low proposed pay hike by the plantation companies, and was a starting point to our trade union action on this issue,” he added. The CESU members held a rally in Talawakelle on 1 October urging for an equal pay hike, in which around 3,000 trade union activists participated. “We walked from the Malliyapoo Junction and reached the Talawakelle town, where we addressed the gathering,” Francis added. He noted that the CESU will not accept the proposed 25% pay hike they were offered by the EFC, and that another round of discussions must thus be scheduled in this regard. “The companies said they are unable to give more than a 25% increment, and stated that the collective agreement can be signed if we agree to their offer,” he added Speaking to The Morning, EFC Plantation Group Chairman Roshan Rajadurai said: “We have made our offer very clear – even during these very dark times, when industries are closing down, we have offered a 25% increment of pay.” Two rounds of discussions were held earlier on 30 August and 5 September between the CESU and EFC officials. Accordingly, the CESU demanded for a 70% pay hike blaming the ongoing economic crisis, however, the EFC only agreed to a 25% increment. According to the CESU, the 25% salary increment offered by the EFC amounts to only Rs. 7,000 for the lower category of estate staff, while the higher category will see an increase of Rs. 9,700. Three categories of collective agreements are signed in the estate sector, namely the Executive Agreement, Staff Agreement, and Labour Agreement.


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