Non-CWC workers back at work at plantations

The Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC)-linked employees strike demanding Rs. 1,000 daily wage in the plantation sector continued for the fourth day, while those of other trade unions have resumed work.

CWC Leader and MP Arumugam Thondaman on 3 December requested all plantation workers to join in an indefinite strike, until plantation companies agreed to increase their daily wages to Rs. 1,000.

“We will continue the strike until the plantation companies agrees to increase our daily wage to Rs. 1,000. Many of the estate workers are supporting us in this trade union action and we hope that the 10% that are not backing the endeavour will also join us soon,” CWC-backed estate workers said.

Despite many attempts Thondaman was not available for comment.  

However, Planters’ Association of Ceylon (PA) issuing a statement this week firmly reiterated that a 100% increase in daily basic wages as demanded by unions simply could not be sustained by the industry.

Meanwhile, there was an incident where an unidentified group of people had thrown kerosene to a stock of 1,440 kilos of plucked tea while it was being transported to the factory.

 The estimated cost of the damaged stock of teas was Rs. 120,960. (CdeS)