Workers’ lives dark as the tea kettle

15 January 2019 04:40 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 17 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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Tea plantation workers have been agitating for a Rs. 1,000 increase in their basic wage which Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) have been refusing due to the drastic dip in global tea prices.

Although the income generated through tea- which is one of the main crops in the island- is beneficial for our economy and the big companies owning plantations, it has hardly any significance on the lives of tea plantation workers who still remain as one of the most poorly paid workers in the organised sector. Pix by Piyumi Fonseka

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Comments - 17

DHA Tuesday, 15 January 2019 07:04 PM

Initially stop voting for goons, over the years politicians have robbed the money which was destined for you'll look at the way politicians live and the way you'll live....so sad.....

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Arnold Wednesday, 16 January 2019 07:30 AM

All goons on both sides of the isle are the same. They are there for the money and nothing else.

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concern Tuesday, 15 January 2019 07:10 PM

The pictures show they live so poorly and not being taken care. If you have the access to their true income you will be surprised. Some earns more than people who works in offices with ac.

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Arnold Wednesday, 16 January 2019 07:29 AM

The sad fact is more than half their salary is spent on alcohol.

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JK hatton Tuesday, 15 January 2019 07:56 PM

There is not even a trace of a sign of development in plantation workers life by any SL govts. This is BAD karma by the govts against plantation workers which pulls back the development of the country -

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johan Tuesday, 15 January 2019 07:57 PM

Is this the 21st century living style.Govt.must assist thepoor workers with the new way of living style.I think roads and highways are better than their shelters.Politicians and governments need only their votes

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johan Tuesday, 15 January 2019 07:58 PM

Is this the 21st century living style.Govt.must assist thepoor workers with the new way of living style.I think roads and highways are better than their shelters.Politicians and governments need only their votes

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Arnold Tuesday, 15 January 2019 08:38 PM

Their condition is not as bad as the pictures. Most of them work only half a day in the estate and work the other half in the nearby town making double the salary. And if they stop spending so much on alcohol, they will be among the richest people in SL with no liabilities or commitments.

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concern Tuesday, 15 January 2019 09:29 PM

Very true. Very frequently they do not show up to work giving all the excuses and the men stay home and drink. The workers who works hard makes good money and their take home wages are good. All the amenities are given free.

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Sinna Dorei Tuesday, 15 January 2019 08:54 PM

If there is any community that has substantially improved it's lot in recent years, it is the Plantation worker community. So you "do gooders" who have no clue to what is happening on the ground, please Stop writing BS.

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concern Wednesday, 16 January 2019 01:10 AM

Very true. If you take pictures of people who lives in Colombo shanties with these people, their live hood is much better. Don't let the pictures deceive the ignorant people.

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Kathirgaman Tuesday, 15 January 2019 09:17 PM

I am just asking this fellow Arnold.do you have any required qualifications to insult these poor workers?

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Arnold Wednesday, 16 January 2019 07:28 AM

You don't need qualifications to describe the ground reality. Even today they can make much more than 1000 as the wage is tied to productivity. Those who do real work make good money and it is the lazy and corrupt ones who go after free handouts from politicians make all the noise.

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Citizen Tuesday, 15 January 2019 11:42 PM

Sinnadurei, these photos are apparently taken on the ground. How do you say they are bullshit? I am sure you are commenting as one of the pro-planters' parties. Be humane men. I suggest you to go there once and see from ur eyes without being a keyboard hero in Colombo

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Colombian Tuesday, 15 January 2019 11:47 PM

You people who talk against these poor workers should be brought to these line houses. Although some houses have been upgraded, many remain the same. If they earn like the ones in ac rooms, why the hell do they still live like this with little or no facilities?

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Eddy Wednesday, 16 January 2019 07:37 AM

They should paid a monthly salary with EPF /ETF

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PUWANESH Thursday, 17 January 2019 09:05 PM

THE TEA ESTATE WORKERS SHOULD BE PAID A REASONABLE SALARY, IN MY VIEW INSTEAD OF RS.1000/- THE PARTIES INVOLVED IN THE AGREEMENT CAN COME TO A REASONABLY FARE AMOUNT SAY ABOUT 750/- PER DAY AND END THIS SITUATION FOR THE WELL BEING OF THE TEA INDUSTRY AND THE WORKERS.

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