RPCs urge estate worker vaccination to be given priority

The Planters’ Association of Ceylon (PA) today called on government and Public health officials to ensure that estate sector workers made a top priority in the COVID-19 vaccination drive, given their essential contributions to the national economy.

In the backdrop where COVID-19 cases are once again on the rise both locally and globally, while preparations are already underway for the 2nd phase of the vaccine drive, PA Media Spokesperson, Dr.Roshan Rajadurai reiterated that the health and safety of estate communities must be ensured.

“Through the concerted efforts of RPC management working closely with Government and Public Health officials, we were able to ensure strict health, hygiene, and social distancing protocols were implemented on RPC estates. This has helped in ensuring that not a single case of COVID was registered in these communities, even with the large scale of international returnees.

“In that time, all of our employees have continued to work with minimal disruptions as  a result of the pandemic, all while generating absolutely essential foreign exchange for the national economy. We therefore request that the Government expedites vaccination for our workers as a matter of utmost urgency,” Dr. Rajadurai stressed.