New wage structure gazetted for Plantation Sector
With facts been submitted and much agitation the wages board itself unanimously with everyone’s consent decided in a Rs.1,350 basic pay with the productivity component of Rs. 50 per kilo and for the first time in history since 1992 this wage will remain for the next three years, Sunil Poholiyadde, re-elected Chairman of the Planters’ Association of Ceylon (PA) told the 170th AGM held in Colombo on Saturday. The new structure was gazetted on Friday.
Poholiyadde said that he doubts whether Sri Lanka can get 250 million kilos of tea this year although expecting 300 million. To maintain that production level, he emphasised the need to embrace new technology and adopt innovative thinking. In the short term he said there were other issues that the PA had to address and one main issue is diversification which has come to a halt.
He said with climate change plantation business will not be successful unless diversifying into other crops.
Outgoing Chairman, PA Senaka Alawattegama said one of the most pressing issues they faced was the matter of wage negotiations. For a long time, this issue remained unresolved, despite the consistent representation made by the industry on the need for definitive wage reforms towards productivity linked wages.
“In addition to wage reform, other significant challenges continue to demand our attention, particularly concerning crop diversification and oil palm cultivation. While we have made substantial progress in navigating the complex political and environmental landscape surrounding this crop, it remains an area where more decisive action is needed.”
“Rubber, too, is in a difficult period. Production has been impacted by unfavorable weather patterns and crop diseases such as Circular Spot Leaf Disease. These factors have made paying wages more difficult for the RPCs, but despite this, we stood by our commitment to our workers, ensuring they are compensated fairly,” he said.
Alawattegama said oil palm cultivation represents a vital opportunity for diversification within their industry. “However, the resistance they faced based on misinformation rather than facts-has delayed progress.”
“While we are now on the verge of achieving a breakthrough, there is still work to be done before we can fully realize the benefits of this sector.”
“At the same time, incentives must be provided to support crop diversification and investment in research and development (R&D).”
The introduction of technology, particularly in the areas of mechanization, precision agriculture and agri-tech, is no longer optional but necessary for the future sustainability of our industry.”
He said many RPCs have already made great strides in introducing new high-value crops, such as coffee, avocado and spices.
Alawattegam noted that the plantation industry operates on long investment cycles, and consistent, rational policy-making is crucial for the industry’s survival and growth.
” We also recognize the increasing global demand for sustainably produced goods,”
he added.
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