Estate worker wages soar

Eric Tillakaratne, Nuwara Eliya central corr.

The recent increase of the daily wage to Rs 620 will enable a plantation workers, working all 30 days of the month to earn a monthly income of nearly Rs 22,000. As such, an estate family with five workers will be able to earn a total monthly income of over Rs 100,000, spokesmen for Plantation Management Companies said.

They said a tea plucker has to pluck 19 kgs of green leaf daily to qualify for the Rs 620 daily wage.

An additional Rs 12 per kg will be paid if the worker exceeded the 19 kg output, they said.

Plantation management company spokesmen said the tea pluckers are entitled to one and a half days wages or Rs 930 if they work on Sunday or government holidays. "As such, a plantation worker is able to earn a monthly income ranging from Rs 22,000 to Rs 25,000 as a result of this wage increase. The workers on their part should show their gratitude by rendering a dedicated service towards the progress of their estates," they said.