Negotiations to increase daily wage of estate workers fail

COLOMBO (News1st); The second round of negotiations to increase the wages of plantation workers has also failed, after members of the Estate Owners Association failed to attend the meeting.

A discussion was organized for the first time on the 10th of April, with the participation of the representatives of plantation workers unions and estate owners.

It was chaired by the Commissioner General of Labour.

However, representatives of the Estate Owners Association did not participate in that discussion.

The Department of Labour said as a result a decision could not be reached during the discussion.

A discussion was called for the second time, however that too was abandoned after estate owners failed to attend the meeting. 

Under the prevailing situation, the increase in the daily wages of plantation workers has to be postponed day by day.

When inquired by News1st Commissioner General of Labor H.K.K.A. Jayasundara said he will continue to work towards increasing daily wages.

The last time the daily wages of plantation workers were increased was in 2021.

The wages of plantation workers were increased to Rs.1,000, including allowances.

At present, plantation workers unions say their daily wages should be increased to Rs.1,700.