New deal for estate workers
That the estate
strike had been brought to an end for the major part should be a
huge relief for the Government, given the impact this was having
on the national economy. According to our main story yesterday a
majority of the Plantation Trade Unions had decided to suspend
the protest campaign as the estate owners had agreed to increase
the daily wage to Rs. 405. A few trade unions though were
sticking to their original demand of a Rs. 500 daily wage hike
and are continuing with their work stoppage.
It is hoped that saner counsel would prevail and the striking
unions would accept what has been offered for the time being
especially given that the increase is as much as 40 percent.
True, a daily wage increase of Rs. 110 is by no means adequate
given the steep rise in the cost of living. However, it is
equally well for them to realize that they are a lucky segment
indeed to be still on a payroll given the large scale lay offs
in many sectors in the wake of the world economic crisis.
It is reported that the transport of tea to the Colombo
auctions from many factories have stopped. This can only
exacerbate the problem and lose for the country its traditional
markets that can only act to the detriment to the estate
community.
The Government should therefore ensure a smooth functioning
of the apparatus and get tough on the saboteurs who are
obviously working to a political agenda. We say this because
today there are certain political elements who are trying to
stoke unrest and would not hesitate to seize any bludgeon by
which to attack the Government and disrupt the economy.
The defeat of terrorism has now put these political elements
bereft of slogans. Hence the desperation to seize on any
opportunity to create chaos. The Government should therefore
take measures to identify the disruptive elements attempting to
sow dissension and discord and expose them to the public.
Strikes have a habit of snowballing and this cannot be permitted
at a time the country is launched on post-war rebuilding.
Particularly the Government should be watchful of attempts to
disrupt the country’s principal economic interests. Tea has been
our economic mainstay for decades, only recently eclipsed by
garments. Those interests who failed to scuttle the war effort
may well be targeting the economy in order to place the
Government in a difficult situation.
This is not in any way to suggest that the plantation
community should be left at the mercy of the estate owners.It
has been their unfortunate lot to be led by the nose all these
years by crafty politicians who disported themselves as messiahs
of the thottam. A fresh approach is needed to deal with the
plight of this segment of our population which represents the
backbone of our economy.
For too long have they been thrown the crumbs while others
enriched themselves at their cost including their so-called
saviours. They should be rewarded adequately than kept waiting
years to be paid a mere pittance as wage increase. On the whole
they should be guided out of their dependent mindset and made to
feel proud citizens living in dignity with the rest of the
community.
True, the plantation sector had undergone large scale
transformation under the present Government especially in the
areas of health, education and infrastructure. But they should
be given the opportunity and guidance to break out of their
drudgery and venture into fresh pastures.
All these years the path to emancipation was hidden from them
by politicians who manipulated the illiteracy and ignorance of
this hapless community for their own selfish interests.
Emancipation would have made them see through the charade of
their political representatives and act all the wiser.
Hence it is gratifying to note that the President has taken
direct responsibility to ensure their advancement and well-being
bypassing all political layers. Hopefully this will pay off in
the long run and help break the shackles of this community
making them see the light. No longer can we afford to take this
community who had a long history of slavery for granted,
especially in the context of the new independence attained by
the country ending a protracted separatist war.
There is a need to bring them into the national mainstream by
providing them, with all opportunities and wherewithal for
advancement. Above all they should be made to shed their seige
mentality which had been cultivated over long years from the
colonial era and made equal partners among the national polity.
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