Our main demand is a salary increase: Thondaman

The President of the Ceylon Workers’ Congress former Minister Arumugam Thondaman said even his colleagues had misgivings about holding a May Day rally in Nuwara Eliya, but today the CWC May Day rally is flooded with people like a tsunami wave.

Addressing the May Day rally in Nuwara Eliya yesterday the CWC leader said his rivals had resorted to a leaflet campaign against him that an alms-giving in memory of late Mr. Thondaman and not a May Day rally would be held in Nuwara Eliya, but they would learn a better lesson today judging from the CWC rally.

“The main demand of the estate workers is a salary increase. For several generations it was the CWC that put forward this demand to the successive governments. It is a matter of serious concern that the price of tea has declined to unprecedented depths today and it should be considered. I know the time to pressurize the authorities with the demand of Rs.1000 increase” he said.

The individuals who promised to get a salary increase of Rs.100 warned that they would set fire to themselves if they failed. Several others came out with a promise of Rs.2500 increase. They only hoodwinked the estate workers. However, the CWC had been able to get a salary increase in six months. I refrain from putting forward this demand in view of the declining prices of tea. Our negotiations at this crucial juncture would end up with a minute increase of Rs.10 or 20. The CWC is awaiting the opportunity to demand a salary increase and I know how and when I should do it, he added.

The main demand of the estate workers is a salary increase. For several generations it was the CWC that put forward this demand to the successive governments