DECISION ON ESTATE WORKERS’ WAGES KEY TO SUPPORT BUDGET: RADHAKRISHNAN

State Minister of Eduction V. Radhakrishnan said the estate workers’ demand for a wage increase has been gathering momentum and it was now a national issue that needed the immediate attention of the government.

Mr. Radhakrishnan told the media that they would take a decision on their stance of supporting the government at the budget debate soon. He pointed out that the estate workers all over the country had been campaigning for a wage increase and even the people in the North and East have shown an interest, considering it as a national problem.

“Estate sector trade unions recently met the estate owners and requested for a basic wage of Rs.1000 a day. However the estate managements have decided yesterday that the maximum wage they would pay is Rs. 600 a day. This is a serious injustice to the estate workers who have been burdened with the spiralling cost of living. The government should intervene and resolve the issue without allowing it to escalate or else we will be compelled to take a decision on whether to support the government during the next budget debate,” he warned.

Estate sector trade unions recently met the estate owners and requested for a basic wage of Rs.1000 a day. However the estate managements have decided yesterday that the maximum wage they would pay is Rs. 600 a day