Planters’ Association slams daily wage increase announcement

3 May 2024 12:00 am - 21 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Confirms membership will be filing objections to these proposals
Says “very concerned” that the announcement, remarks by government officials and the tone of media coverage is raising expectations that could lead to disappointment and unrest

By Nishel Fernando

The Planters’ Association (PA) of Ceylon representing Regional Plantation Companies (RPC) is moving ahead to object to the Rs.1700 daily wage increase proposed for plantation workers, while asserting that a final decision is yet to be reached on the matter.

“The Planters’ Association of Ceylon can confirm that its membership will be filing objections to these proposals within the time frame stipulated by the Labour Commissioner.

“Accordingly, the Planters Association is very concerned that the announcement, remarks by government officials and the tone of media coverage is raising expectations that could lead to disappointment and unrest,” PA stated in a statement to the media yesterday.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced the wage increase at the May Day rally of the Ceylon Workers’ Congress, held at the Kotagala Public Ground.

On 25th of last month, Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara issued a gazette notification granting permission for the Commissioner of Labour to determine a minimum wage for workers in the Tea Growing and Manufacturing Trade and Rubber Cultivation and Raw Rubber Processing Trade.

Commissioner General of Labour H. K. K. A. Jayasundara on April 30 published a procedure of payment to workers in these sectors.

The proposed new Rs.1700 living wage is a 70 percent increase when compared to current living wage of Rs.1000. It consists of Rs.1350 daily wage (including the daily budgetary relief allowance and to be applied for payment of EPF and ETF) and Rs. 350 daily special allowance. In addition, Rs.80 is proposed for over the Kilogram rate.

Objections to the proposed determination are opened until 12.00 noon on 15th May.

Meanwhile, RPCs lamented President Wickremesinghe’s announcement, and subsequent reporting in the media had given the impression to the public that this wage increase was to come into effect from 1st of May.
“The Planters Association of Sri Lanka and its members are concerned that the President’s remarks may be misunderstood and lead workers and the public to assume that a final decision has been taken on this matter when it has not.

“Given the facts stated in the Gazette notification, the implication in media reports that the increased payments will be applicable from 1st May 2024, is inaccurate and misleading. Neither the effective date on which the new proposed minimum payment will be applicable nor the quantum of such payment has as yet been determined,” PA stated.

However, neither President’s statements nor media reports made a reference to the effective date of wage increase as claimed by the PA. Further, PA officials weren’t available on 1st of May to comment on the matter despite multiple attempts in reaching out to them.

In 2021, the government with the support of labour unions was successful in securing respective Wages Boards approval for the Rs.1000 living wage with the Labour Department representatives casting the tie- breaking votes, despite RPC objections.

Comments - 21

Yasalal De Silva Friday, 03 May 2024 07:14 AM

These wage increases announced by the government on the eve of elections appears to be aimed at gaining votes.Any increase should be with the concurrence of the plantation companies.This will no doubt increase the cost of production and result some of the marginal companies incurring losses .

Christo255 Friday, 03 May 2024 09:22 AM

Dear planters, wage hike is justified and timely. The dollar went up by 100% but you got increaesd profits and never shared it with workers. Even now it is 50% higher than earlier. So from 1000 rs 50% would have been 1500, but the basis is only 1350 still. So even if they work 25 days a month they would get a basic salary of 33750. Anything less would be exploitation and slave labour isn't it?

Sokrates Friday, 03 May 2024 09:34 AM

1000 Rs daily "living wage" is a slave wage and inhumane exploitation of the workers and the lousy allowances can be forgotten. These people, mostly women, work in the worst weather conditions and are therefore constantly sick, here on the Tea Estates in Nuwara Eliya. Even Rs 1700 is still merciless exploitation. The benefits that existed under the British no longer exist for a long time. The estates provide ancient line houses, where they still exist, the size of dog houses without water or sanitary facilities. Better houses have to be paid for, land for growing vegetables has to be leased, medical care is no longer subsidized and there is no longer any free lunch. There are only a few kg of poor quality tea available. In contrast, the workers in the vegetable fields receive between Rs 2,500 and Rs 3,500 a day, depending on the work they do, plus lunch. This wage must at least also be paid by the tea estates here. The planters who don't want to pay are greedy, inhumane slave drivers.

Citizen2023 Friday, 03 May 2024 09:41 AM

It's strange how the Minister of Labour has published the wage increase of 70% to tea estate workers without the consensus of the PA. With the matter being taken to courts, it will take 2-3 yrs to solve this problem. It appears that the Prez n Minister's utterance may be to attract votes for the Prez n General elections. The people of Estate sector should not dream that the new day wages proposed will become effective May 2024.

Daya Friday, 03 May 2024 10:28 AM

The Planters and the senior Managers of the planation companies are living lavishly from the hard foreign exchange of the poor labourers, but they don't want to give decent salary for the estate labourers to live.

Hon. Sarneris Saturday, 04 May 2024 05:35 AM

This is called the real world where the smart (knowledge workers) make more money than the manual laborers. Of course they invest more money and time educating themselves and use their brains more than manual laborers.

Daya Friday, 03 May 2024 10:28 AM

The Planters and the senior Managers of the planation companies are living lavishly from the hard foreign exchange of the poor labourers, but they don't want to give decent salary for the estate labourers to live.

Be Gracious And Reasonable Wages for These Workers Friday, 03 May 2024 11:35 AM

Exactly. If these “masters” live moderately and cut down on their expensive lifestyle, easily will be able to afford for the workers entitlements. If these workers don’t perform, no revenue for the planters. Be humble and pay them reasonable wages. Good and kind needs go a long way towards making a more gracious living and good Karma.

Dee Friday, 03 May 2024 01:48 PM

Watch out ha! Remember 87-90 period? People may vote for a similar regime. Then you may have to increase to 2000/- else the top management may get a ‘heads up’ (on fence posts)

Daya Friday, 03 May 2024 10:28 AM

The Planters and the senior Managers of the planation companies are living lavishly from the hard foreign exchange of the poor labourers, but they don't want to give decent salary for the estate labourers to live.

joshua Friday, 03 May 2024 10:49 AM

The increase is due, but it is obvious that Ranil is trying to get petty gains for his candidacy. It is not for the love of the people. The workers have been suffering for ages and not only on 1 May 2024. It looks like he is becoming a santa of elections.

Mohamed Burhan Friday, 03 May 2024 11:16 AM

No human being will object paying Rs.1700. Is it give this and raise the price for the local retail price??

Johan Friday, 03 May 2024 11:27 AM

UNP is grieving without sufficient vote base and playing Jekyll and Hyde games. Thondmans are the scape goats easily could be deceived to lure the upcountry voters

Sanath Gunawardena Friday, 03 May 2024 11:54 AM

Any enterprise which cannot pay even Rs 2000 or so per day should be illegal. Slavedriving parasites!

Gabriella Friday, 03 May 2024 12:03 PM

This is a perfect opportunity for the estate workers with the backing of all Unions and all fair minded people to improve every aspect of their working conditions. These selfish estate owners can be brought to their knees with a coordinated international awareness campaign that highlights the issue of slave labour on the estates. A boycott Ceylon tea campaign until wage and working conditions are improved could be easily launched. Nobody believes the estate owners cries of poverty.

Sam Silva Friday, 03 May 2024 05:33 PM

If you own a estate you will never write this ignorant and incompetent comment. People like you are disgrace to the country as well as for the rea industry. First get the facts but not just pushing the keyboard.

Nalin Perera Friday, 03 May 2024 01:57 PM

Most 0f the Plantation company CEO's are over 65 years old and past expiry date. Some are even over 70 years old. They are living in the past. If they cannot run the estates then they should be sold.

DJ Friday, 03 May 2024 02:21 PM

Slavery at its best. Very sad.But our political leaders do NOT care.

Hon. Sarneris Saturday, 04 May 2024 05:36 AM

What are you talking about? There is no forced labor being practiced in estates.

Naganathan Friday, 03 May 2024 03:56 PM

A secret understanding between Ranil, Jeevan Thondaman and planters association would have reached to file a petition in the court. Salary increase is only an eyewash.

Hon. Sarneris Saturday, 04 May 2024 05:40 AM

They should tie the salary to productivity like in the real world. More work more pay. La La land of Lanka, is one of the very few places in the world where you get paid for doing nothing.

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Planters’ Association slams daily wage increase announcement

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