A key meeting to finalise the proposed daily wage increase for estate workers from Rs. 1,350 to Rs. 1,700 was postponed on October 17 after estate employers failed to attend, drawing strong criticism from trade unions.
The discussion, scheduled at the Labour Secretariat in Narahenpita with the Wages Board, was attended by estate worker trade union representatives, but none of the invited estate management officials were present.
Union leaders condemned the employers’ absence, calling it a “blatant disregard for the law of the country” and an insult to the workers who, they said, drive the profitability of the estate sector.
“The government has expressed a clear commitment to increase estate worker wages, but employers are ignoring that directive,” one union official said, accusing estate management of routinely avoiding wage-related discussions.
General Secretary of the Estate Workers’ Union and former MP Vadivel Suresh voiced disappointment, stating that although the government pledged to ensure a basic wage of Rs. 1,700 by December, no implementation has taken place yet.
Suresh reiterated that estate workers are not seeking additional allowances or benefits—just a fair living wage that reflects the rising cost of living.
Unions warned that continued delays and employer inaction may lead to further unrest in the plantation sector, calling for immediate intervention to uphold workers’ rights and dignity.
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