The Wages Board approved Rs 1350 as the daily minimum wage for plantation workers following an agreement reached between Plantation companies and Trade Unions yesterday.
According to the agreement reached between the parties, along with a daily minimum wage of Rs 1350, workers will receive Rs. 350 as a "productivity incentive" totalling Rs. 1700.
The proposal was passed by Trade Unions with 14 votes in favour, three opposed and one abstention. The Peoples' Liberation Front (JVP) led Unions voted against the proposal.
While extending his gratitude to Regional Plantation Companies (RPC) and the Employers Federation representatives for their ultimate support for these reforms, General Secretary of Ceylon Workers' Congress Jeevan Thondaman said that coming to agreements on these important issues will help us advance and revitalise the island’s tea sector.
Taking platform X, previously known as Twitter, Mr Thondaman said that ironically, although all RPC representatives supported the proposal following extensive discussion, three labour unions affiliated with the JVP voted against it.
"I must also reiterate that I do not believe in the daily wage model or the present structure of the plantation sector. I have been campaigning to move away from the present model to the more productive small holder or out-grower model and for crop diversification. Tea estate workers need to be empowered to become tea farmers of their own land. Data shows that this increases both income and production," he said.
Meanwhile, other Trade Unions alleged that unions were taken on a ride by plantation companies at the expense of workers' welfare and benefits since the proposal is not a reasonable deal for workers considering the current plight of the community amidst the economic crisis.
They alleged that the basic wage is fixed at Rs 1350 and other allowance is at Rs 350, workers are not entitled to get more contributions for their Employees' Provident Fund (EPF), Employees' Trust Fund (ETF), gratuity and maternity benefits since it is only basic wage is considered for above benefits for the workers. (Northeastern Monitor/ August 13/2024)
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