Estate workers continue work during curfew amidst COVID-19 fears

• Pay hike discussions take backseat
• Estate workers allowed to work during curfew along with farmers in other areas

Estate workers engaged in their daily activities despite the curfew, amidst the COVID-19 outbreak which has pushed discussions about a wage hike up to Rs. 1000 to the backseat.

Up-Country People's Front Leader Radhakrishnan told the Daily FT that the estate workers were engaged in their daily activities, and their employers have been asked to provide masks to protect against COVID-19.

He also said that talks on increasing the daily wage of estate workers has been paused for now, given the serious health crisis facing the country. 

Meanwhile representatives of upcountry political parties, who were among those who met Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday, requested that estate workers be allowed to continue with their work, the same way farmers have been during the curfew, as their only means of sustenance is their daily wage.

These workers were seen at an estate in Talawakelle area yesterday.