Upcountry plantation workers launch strike; demand Rs. 1,700 daily wage

21 April 2024 11:45 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 20 Bookmark

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By Ranjith Rajapakshe

Hatton, April 21 (Daily Mirror)- Upcountry plantation workers launched a strike and staged a protest today demanding that their daily wages be increased to Rs. 1,700.

The plantation workers displayed black flags and wore back bands during their protest.

Trade associations in Hatton, Kotagala, Bogawanthalawa, Dikoya and Maskeliya closed down their shops and displayed black flags in support of the strike action.

The Ceylon Workers' Congress organised the trade union action and other trade unions such as the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) extended their support to the strike.

The protesting plantation workers claim that the plantation companies had not taken any steps to increase their wages despite massive profits earned by the companies.

Comments - 20

Be Fair Sunday, 21 April 2024 11:53 AM

Politically motivated, selfish act this is. Perfect timing

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Be Reasonable to these Workers Tuesday, 23 April 2024 09:33 AM

You must be well off crowd! These hard working folks are asking a very reasonable amount of increment. Plantation owner’s are living the lavish lifestyle at the expense of these employees. Look at their posh homes and vehicles they are owning and the pathetic living conditions these workers are having. All businesses need to be reasonable with pay packages and ensure employees are taken care of. If not, they are failures and may result in the business failures too.

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Gabriella Sunday, 21 April 2024 12:02 PM

About time ! These people have been exploited for too long.

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Tom Sunday, 21 April 2024 12:14 PM

Totally unrealistic, clearly politicaly motivated demand.

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Central Banker Sunday, 21 April 2024 12:25 PM

You all deserve more...

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Sokrates Sunday, 21 April 2024 12:59 PM

When I see the estate workers (almost exclusively women) from my house in Nuwara Eliya working in the tea estates, regardless of the weather, even Rs 1,700 a day is a joke. At least Rs 3000 would be appropriate.

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Buddhika Sunday, 21 April 2024 05:42 PM

Rs 1700 Are they not given fully furnished accommodation, free Tea, Free Liquor etc.. But they need a better

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Sam Silva Sunday, 21 April 2024 06:23 PM

Would you get paid if you have a degree and work in a reputable institution. These workers work as little as they wish and currently they are well off than any average person. They are given all benefits such as epf/etf, gratuity payments, maternity leave, festivals advance, medical . Free board and lodging and they grow their own vegetables. The main issue with them is, their income is used mostly for alcohol. They have all the excuses to report to work and will work the least because they get paid anyway. The men are worse. It's the people who manage the estate going through such a hardship. A bag of feterlizer is Rs.12,500.00 which was Rs.1000.00. Several tea estate has gone bankrupt. They were operating on loans and could not pay back. Get your facts first.

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Mahila Monday, 22 April 2024 10:24 AM

Buddhika, In which part of the world and which Employer "GIVES LIQUOR TO EMPLOYEES"!!!??? What 'shop' and blatant Untruths are you talking!!!??? Do you have Proof!!!??? I'll be SURPRISED as it would be a 1st time case, definitely NOT in Sri Lanka!!??

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Shera Sunday, 21 April 2024 02:11 PM

And why not? Tea industry executives are extremely wealthy and are beneficiaries of these workers' sacrifice and hard work. Pay them proper wages.

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Millioner Sunday, 21 April 2024 02:34 PM

They truly deserve this payment. Please don’t delay it.

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Tissa Fernando Sunday, 21 April 2024 04:33 PM

I support these people who are demanding a very reasonable pay . Plantation companies should share part of their profits withheld workers.So more profit more bonus for tge workers.

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Gabriella Sunday, 21 April 2024 04:46 PM

These Union “leaders” are mired in 60’s and 70’s tactics and operating with an unsophisticated thought process. In this age of instant global communication and social networking, errant companies that flout their social responsibilities and disregard their workers rights and, welfare can be easily brought to their knees. All it would take is an organised boycott of SrI Lanka tea for a few months. With few exceptions, all expat Lankan’s are aware of the shameful treatment of estate workers, and would be more than supportive.

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Dulan de Silva Sunday, 21 April 2024 05:18 PM

Central Bank guys or girls salary Rs 1.9 million a month tea estate worker Rs.1000 a day or 25000 a month t

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Mahila Monday, 22 April 2024 10:42 AM

Isn't Jack's ass and Kokie's ass different!!?? Such is, Central Bank (CBSL) and 'Tewatte Sellama'!!!??? Tewatte work is somewhat flexible to CBSL, where you are kept imprisoned for 39-40 hours a week!!!??? Tewatte, if you are good and able, finish your work early afternoon, you are endowed with 'SOME', overdue paly-time, which you lost during the 'V'-Hours of the daybreak, as you have to be on time for the Muster!!!??? Tewatte is better places that way, very 'Humane' and considerate on employees welfare and needs!!! Devoid of all FRUSTRATIONS as in a standard normal cumbersome work environment!!!??? That's another difference in mitigation - SALARY STRUCTURE OF CBSL VIS-À-VIS TEWATTE!?

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They deserve more than this Sunday, 21 April 2024 06:08 PM

I think 1700/301 is barely $5.5, its nothing but the tea estate owners earns in millions of dollar by tea export, fair enough to pay at least 2000 per day, poor hardworking people

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Joe Sunday, 21 April 2024 08:12 PM

Modern day slavery! But the slave masters are still celebrated and recognised for their 'service to the country'.

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Hard Truth Monday, 22 April 2024 12:04 AM

Tea production through Sri Lankan Plantation workers' demands is unsustainable. For the betterment of their future, these estate workers seek employment elsewhere.

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Jeanne Tuesday, 23 April 2024 03:48 AM

@ Hard Truth : one word sums up your opinion and that word is : IGNORANCE.

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Sinhabahu Monday, 22 April 2024 03:21 AM

People exploited for so long. At least now should get decent wage.

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