Plantation workers call off strike

The estate workers wage problem was solved with trade unions agreeing to receive a salary of Rs. 405 a day yesterday.

Madulsima Plantation Chairman Lalith Obeysekera said that most of the plantation companies also accepted this agreement but a few companies went back for a board meeting. They will also come to the same agreement and the agreement will be signed this afternoon or on Monday.

Plantation companies submitted a two-year proposal to trade unions in the tea sector. Plantation companies proposed an increase of Rs. 1,750 per worker per month at the end of two years.

It was proposed to increase Rs 40 per day per worker with immediate effect. Plantation companies proposed to pay Rs 250 as a basic wage and Rs. 80 as attendance which works out to Rs. 330, an increase of Rs. 40 per day.

Every employee has to work a minimum of 25 days per month as a norm where he will be entitled to a Rs. 1,000 increase in the first year and a further increase of Rs. 30 in the second year will make a total of Rs. 750 per month.

RK