Planters’ Association threatens legal action

President’s decision to increase daily wage of plantation workers

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The Planters’ Association of Ceylon (PAC) said yesterday (02) that they were not in a position to raise the daily wage of tea plantation workers to Rs 1,700 despite President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s declaration during a May Day rally that the minimum daily wage for those engaged in the tea growing and manufacturing trade had been increased to Rs. 1,700 a day.

The wage hike is also applicable for workers involved in the rubber trade. A gazette extraordinary was issued, on 20 April that effect in pursuance of the powers conferred on the Commissioner General of Labour, by an order made by the Minister of Labour under section 33(1) (a) the Wages Boards Ordinance (Chapter 136), the president said.

According to the gazette, the daily wage of a worker is set at 1,350 rupees. This amount includes the daily budgetary relief allowance and should be applied for payment of EPF and ETF. They will also be given a daily special allowance of 350 rupees.

PAC media spokesman, Dr. Roshan Rajadurai said they would take legal action against the government decision to increase the minimum wage was taken without discussions with them.

He said that it is impossible to increase salaries at this point and that the production cost had increased.Currently, the daily wage of an estate worker is Rs 1,000.