Employers Federation to break plantation wage deadlock

Proposes model to allow workers to earn daily wage above Rs.1,000

Plantation sector wage issues will soon be resolved as the Employers Federation of Ceylon (EFC) is confident their proposal for the collective agreement will finally break the deadlock.

Acknowledging change is essential; the EFC yesterday sounded a note of optimism saying that t heir proposals will bring out a win-win scenario for all stakeholders of the sector.

“We have proposed a different model this time since we realise that the sector cannot move forward with the current one. It is imperative that we look at productivity, while at the same time ensure that employees earn a decent basic wage. Our proposal links these two factors and we are certain it will bring about a positive outcome,” EFC Director General and Chief Executive Officer Kanishka Weerasinghe told Mirror Business.

The EFC has conceptualised two proposals, both of which have been put forward to the unions. The unions have yet to get back to the federation with their views in this regard.

Although reluctant to share details of the document, Weerasinghe said the proposed model is conceptualised in a manner that would allow a worker to earn above Rs.1,000 per day.

The current wage model allows a worker to earn a net amount of Rs.650 with the basic salary being Rs.550 per day.

While it was speculated that the collective agreement on plantation salaries would be signed yesterday, Weerasinghe said discussion were still underway and a definite date cannot be said as yet.

“It’s an on-going process. The unions will have to discuss with their members and talk to us. We hope this discussion will ensure a good settlement for the entire industry. “A good sign is that the unions have not rejected our proposals. They have expressed that the want to discuss the matter further with their members. . We must take into consideration the views of the union and make certain adjustment to meet their aspirations. No sooner they get back to us we hope to ink the agreement,” he remarked. Furthermore, Weerasinghe asserted while a holistic approach is the answer, all relevant stakeholders must think out of the box and come to a solution that would help the industry progress.

Plantation salaries collective agreements are signed every two years. The last was inked in 2013.