Estate workers to get incentive allowance

Wednesday, 21 January 2026 00:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Cabinet of Ministers at their meeting on Monday approved a proposal to implement the incentive allowance for estate workers announced in the 2026 Budget, including the payment mechanism and timeline.

In presenting the 2026 Budget in his capacity as Finance, Planning and Economic Development Minister, the President proposed increasing the daily wage of estate workers to Rs. 1,550, along with a daily attendance allowance of Rs. 200, with the objective of ensuring a fair daily wage commensurate with workers’ service.

To facilitate the implementation of this proposal, an allocation of Rs. 5,000 million has been provided in the 2026 Budget.

“Accordingly, the Plantations and Community Infrastructure Ministry, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, has planned to pay the proposed incentive allowance for an initial period of six months with effect from 1 January 2026, through the respective plantation companies,” Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced the decision at the weekly post-Cabinet meeting media briefing yesterday.

He said thereafter, the allowance will be credited directly to the personal bank accounts of estate workers.

The joint proposal submitted by Labour Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando and the Plantations and Community Infrastructure Minister Samantha Vidyaratna was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.