September 11, Colombo (LNW): An agreement has been reached to provide a daily minimum wage of Rs. 1,350 for plantation workers, along with an additional allowance of Rs. 50 for each extra kilogram of tea leaves plucked. The decision was made during a discussion held today (10) by the Wages Board, which included State Minister of Labour, MP Vadivel Suresh, estate owners, and plantation trade unions.
The Labor Commissioner will issue a gazette notification to implement this decision, effective immediately.
Commenting on the agreement, MP Vadivel Suresh stated, “We came to an agreement that the plantation worker should receive Rs. 1,552 per day, including EPF and ETF if they return to work.”
He emphasized that the workers should not be overburdened, adding, “That means Rs. 1,350 without EPF and ETF. Even though it is Rs. 1,350, plantation workers shouldn’t be given more work. We cannot limit the labour of the plantation worker. If they work more, they can earn more than the basic salary. We cannot limit it to Rs. 350.
