Estate unions’ Rs.1000 demo kicks off in March

The agreed wage hike of estate workers between plantation companies and some unions has come in for further flak by the All Ceylon Estate Workers Union (ACEWU) whose 7000-strong membership will commence demonstrations from March 3 in Hatton.

ACEWU Secretary J.M.A. Premaratne insisted that workers who were promised a Rs.1000 wage hike must be given this highlighting that the Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) were amassing massive profits.

The union, a body affiliated to the JVP, has about 7000 workers as its members and they have been campaigning for estate worker rights since the commencement of the privatisation of the plantations. They pointed out that they would not be resorting to strike action.

However, they hope to highlight their issue by carrying out demonstrations in estates across the country starting with the first in Hatton next month.

Mr. Premaratne was also critical of the government’s contribution to the increase in wages for workers stating that the promise of the Rs.50 hike was insufficient.

The ACEWU also scoffed at government Ministers for not taking a stand on the issue and pointed out that their earlier demands for a Rs.1000 wage hike or shedding their support to the government remained futile.

The other larger unions were criticised for allegedly working hand in glove with the government and companies for agreeing to a Rs.700 basic wage for the estate workers.

Mr. Premaratne noted that the tea estate workers produced high quality teas that was consumed the world over and the reputation that this brings to the country should be passed onto them for their toil on the plantations.