Relief for the estate workers expected through budget 2019

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Tamil Progressive Alliance disclosed that a policy agreement has been reached where through the new budget proposal an amount in addition to the daily wage of estate workers will be paid. The leader of the alliance Minister Mano Ganesan further stated that this decision was taken following a discussion with the respective subject Minister. As per the collective agreement signed recently, the wage of estate workers was increased from Rs. 500 to Rs 750. However, the Tamil Progressive Alliance points out that since the same benefits offered to workers was added to the basic wage, the real increase is only Rs. 50. The alliance repeatedly stated that they oppose this decision as it has only led to deceive the estate workers. They stated that the productivity bonus of Rs.140 has been removed from the agreement. They pledged to quit the government if the demands are not met. As a result of this conflict, a meeting between Plantations Minister Navin Dissanayake, Minister of Labour and Trade Union Relations Ravindra Samaraweera and the members of the alliance was held. There was no fruitful outcome of the meeting. A meeting of the political representatives convened once again last evening (February 12). The Tamil Progressive Alliance stated that following discussions, it was agreed that estate workers will be granted relief through the 2019 budget.