The government is ready to face any situation if the estate companies take court action against the government’s decision to increase the wages of the estate workers’ community, Minister of Estate Infrastructure Development, Jeevan Thondaman announced.
Minister Thondaman disclosed that previously, plantation companies which claimed an inability to augment the basic salary of workers even by a single rupee, have proposed a Rs.200 increase in the basic salary for estate workers following the government’s declaration of a daily wage of Rs.1700.
The minister emphasized that the companies have the ability to increase the wages of estate workers.
“In the wake of a severe economic crisis affecting the country, estate workers are one of the groups most affected. Continuing long-term suffering amid economic turmoil, their struggle revolves around the pivotal issue of wages.
“In response, the government has taken decisive action by officially mandating a daily wage of Rs.1700 for estate workers under the leadership of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, through a gazette notification. It is now imperative for estate companies to adhere to this official judgment. Additionally, the government is prepared to confront any legal challenges from estate companies contesting the wage increase for plantation workers,” he said.
Minister Thondaman pointed out that the plantation companies previously claimed an inability to raise the basic salary of their workers even by a rupee, but upon the issuance of a government gazette notification setting the daily wage for plantation workers at Rs.1700, the same companies promptly augmented the basic salary by Rs.200. “This demonstrates their capacity to improve the wages of estate workers,” he said.
The minister further said that concurrently, the government is actively enhancing the estate community’s standard of living by addressing housing shortages among plantation workers, expanding educational and employment opportunities, and now, increasing salaries. This concerted effort undoubtedly serves our estate community well, providing tangible benefits to our people.
“However, as the election season nears, certain parties tend to make a slew of promises to our people. Among these pledges, some claim to transform estate workers into small estate owners. However, they often fail to elaborate on the mechanisms behind such proposals,” he added.
Minister Thondaman made these remarks while addressing a press briefing held at the President Media Centre on Monday (May 13).
Jeevan Thondaman, who is also the Minister of Water Supply, addressed the severe shortage of drinking water in the Jaffna peninsula.
The minister said the Jaffna peninsula has long struggled with a severe shortage of drinking water, necessitating urgent solutions.
“Currently, only 11% of the peninsula enjoys access to clean drinking water. However, with the ongoing construction of a desalination plant, nearly 40% of the Jaffna peninsula will soon have access to drinking water. This could be pointed out as a considerable development in addressing the issue of water scarcity,” he added. (Newswire)