Siyambalapitiya assures forwarding Cabinet paper to address unpaid statutory payments for plantation workers 

State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya 

State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya assured yesterday that a Cabinet paper addressing unpaid statutory payments for plantation workers is set to be forwarded to the Cabinet next week.

“Under this proposal, it is anticipated that Rs. 500 million will be disbursed, inclusive of surcharges for the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and the Employees’ Trust Fund (ETF),” he added.

Highlighting the significance of prioritising the legal rights of the working community, Siyambalapitiya noted that initiating reforms within the plantation sector should commence by safeguarding the rights of employees.

The State Minister asserted that this initiative marks the first duty of the year, underscoring the importance of promptly addressing the longstanding issue.

He assured that necessary instructions have been provided to the Ministry Secretary to expedite the process.

Siyambalapitiya also sheds light on the extensive legal battles surrounding this matter, with over 2,000 lawsuits filed by employees.

He pointed out that considerable financial resources are being allocated for legal fees, underscoring the urgency of resolving the issue through administrative channels.

“The proposed measures aim to alleviate the financial burden faced by plantation workers and foster a more equitable and sustainable working environment within plantation companies,” 

he said.