Setback for estate sector women

V. K. Muthulingam Patana group corr.

Women in the plantation sector who played a prominent leadership role during the colonial era have suffered a setback in recent times said S. Ramanathan, General Secretary, Lanka Estate Workers Union (LEWU).

He was addressing the gathering at the 4th International Tea Day celebrations held at the Nawalapitiya Tamil Sangham hall.

Ramanathan said that those who criticise the Collective Agreement entered with the Plantation companies had failed to seek increments for workers via any other channels in the given period. However, the JPTUC will demand for a wage increment alongwith cost of living index next time.

He said that although certain people gave an exaggerated figure about estate labour force it only amounted to 240,000, but their dependents are about 10 lakhs.

Now the prime exchange earner, tea is facing severe hardship in the aftermath of the world economic crisis resulting in the pluckers facing a drastic cut in the working days amidst the high cost of living.

Ramanathan said in this context, it is sad that the budget did not carry any wage increment to estate workers. Therefore we urge that the Government should intervene immediately and ease the tense situation triggered by economic crisis in the plantations.

O.A. Ramiah said, many spoke about promoting women as supervisory Kankany etc. which won't bring any permanent solution. There was women's participation in all sectors in the plantation in the past. I would suggest that they should change the life patterns by wearing trousers with shirt, boots and caps so as to ensure that they are not second to anybody.

He said they also can change their plucking basket models as is done in China and Russia where they don't hang it on their heads, but tie a small umbrella on the heads and a small basket around the hip which will reduce their work load as well.

General Secretary ACUWC S. Murugiah called upon the trade unions and NGOs functioning on estates to create women leadership in the social, political and Trade Union sectors.

The event was organised by the Plantation Sector Social Forum comprising NGOs such as UNIVELO, ISD, PREEDO, UPSAC, CSC, CWF etc. and Trade Unions - ACUWC, NWC, NUW, CPWU, LEWU and CFTU and attended by a large gathering.