Govt. faces challenges in increasing estate workers’ wages: Bimal

Saturday, 16 August 2025 00:16 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Bimal Rathnayake this week acknowledged that raising wages for estate workers has become a significant challenge for the Government, despite ongoing efforts by the relevant Ministries.

Speaking to the media after inspecting the Nanu Oya railway station on Thursday, Rathnayake said both the Plantation Industries Ministry and the Finance Ministry are actively involved in addressing the issue.

“Wages for estate workers are low. This is an industry. We saw in the recent past that taxed businesses had obtained profits. The Plantation Industries and Finance Ministries are working to increase the wages of estate workers. We regret that we have been unable to do so yet,” he said.

He assured that the Government remains committed to the task and will not abandon its responsibility to improve the livelihoods of estate workers, expressing hope that the wage issue could be resolved in the coming months.