May 27, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment has announced an approved wage increase for workers in the plantation sector, effective from 21 May 2024.
The decision, endorsed by Minister Manusha Nanayakkara, was formalised through a gazette notification issued last week by Ministry Secretary R. P. A. Wimalaweera.
The wage hike applies to employees in both the Tea Growing and Manufacturing Trade and the Rubber Cultivation and Raw Rubber Processing Trade.
The new wage will come into effect on 21 May 2024, according to the notification, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2381/35 on 25 April 2024.
On 25 April, the Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment authorised a gazette permitting the Commissioner of Labour to set a minimum wage for these trades.
The new living wage of Rs.1700 represents a 70 per cent increase from the current wage of Rs.1000.
Stakeholders were given until 12.00 noon on 15 May to submit any objections to the proposed wage determination.
