Welfare scheme, bonuses proposed for profit-making factory workers

Ramani KANGARAARACHCHI

COLOMBO: A welfare scheme and bonuses should be paid to workers in profit-making factories, Plantation Industries Minister D. M. Jayaratne said.

He was speaking at a meeting after visiting Mahaweli Tea Shakthi factories in Nawalapitiya, Kotamale and Ruwanpura.

He said even the private sector pays workers a share when they reach high profit margins. He told the factory manager K. B. Atipola to submit an evaluation report on these factories by the end of this year.

The Plantation Industries Ministry is also planning to obtain an International Certificate for high profit-making tea factories under the Tea Shakthi Fund, he said.

Jayaratne also instructed Tea Research Institute Chairman Dr. Jerry Jayawardena to work out a programme for this.

He also instructed the Chairman to give technology and knowledge within two weeks to Tea Shakthi Managers on how to produce tea hygienically.

Referring to the recent strike in tea estates, the Minister said it was a huge loss to the country and the people should not demand without working because it causes problems to them as well.

Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrations was also held when certificates and presents were distributed among the workers. J. M. Appuhamy was selected as the best supplier.