June 12, Colombo (LNW):The daily wage of plantation workers employed by the Elkaduwa Plantations Company in Matale has been increased to Rs.1,700. President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced this wage hike on May 1 during the May Day rally at the Kotagala Public Grounds, organized by the Labour Congress.
Following the announcement, the government issued a special gazette notification to officially raise the wages of plantation workers, effective from April 30th. Despite resistance from several estate owners, who have expressed their inability to pay the higher wages and have taken legal action, Elkaduwa Plantations Company has taken steps to implement the wage increase.
On June 10th, the company began providing the increased wages to its employees, benefiting 1,500 plantation workers. In addition to the Rs.1,700 daily wage, an additional Rs.202.50 will be provided for ETF and EPF contributions, bringing the total wage increase to Rs.1,902.50, according to Elkaduwa Plantations Company Chairman Sumith Jayaratne.
