Decision on Rs.1,700 daily wage hike for plantation workers tomorrow
President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that seven plantation companies have agreed to the Government’s decision to provide a daily wage of Rs.1, 700 to plantation workers.
“As the current Labour Minister, I have planned to convene the Wages Board tomorrow to further discuss the matter, if necessary and introduce special laws to implement this decision”, he said.
President Wickremesinghe was addressing the Kandy District Plantation Labour Unions and Youth Leaders’ meeting organised by the Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) at the Karaliya Convention Centre and Centre for Performing Arts, Kandy yesterday (August 10).
The President said that workers’ welfare funds, which had been neglected for many years, will be paid starting next year. The issues faced by the Tamil community in the hill country were directly presented to the President and he responded positively to their concerns.
The President said the people have faced severe hardships over the past two years. However, we have managed to bring the economy to a more stable level. While the country’s economic issues are not entirely resolved, we have provided significant relief to the people, easing their burdens compared to 2022.
President Wickremesinghe said, “This progress was made possible due to the agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). We have successfully negotiated with the countries that have lent us money, giving us time until 2042 to repay our debts. If we abandon or attempt to amend these agreements, we will lose those benefits, and the country will revert to its previous state, facing issues such as shortages and long queues. Therefore, we must decide whether to continue with this program.”
He said, “We cannot be complacent with the success achieved through the IMF. We should aim for economic development similar to India’s progress.
By 2048, we have planned for rapid development. The people must also decide whether they want leaders who will guide the country forward or those who are more focused on personal pursuits.
For many years, workers’ welfare funds have not been disbursed to the working class. We plan to start paying these funds from next year, as the country’s economy is recovering and the Government is now in a position to provide this support. In recent years, the people working in the plantation sector have endured significant hardships. While other workers have received salary increases and farmers have been provided with better income, relief has not yet reached the plantation workers, he said.
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