Workers celebrate court refusal on Interim Injunction, but Court agrees to take up Petition

Estate workers marked a victory yesterday after the Court of Appeal rejected a petition by plantation companies seeking a temporary suspension of the government’s minimum wage increase.   

The Ministry of Labour had Gazetted a daily wage increase to Rs. 1,700 effective May 21, a move challenged by the plantation companies. However, the Appeal Court dismissed their request for an Interim Injunction to halt the wage hike.   

While the court offered a temporary reprieve to workers, it did agree to hear a separate petition from the plantation companies seeking to declare the minimum wage increase null and void.   

The court ordered a response from the Ministry of Labour and other named respondents by June 26.   

Planters’ association representatives in Nuwara Eliya District indicated they would convene to discuss their next steps following the court’s decision.