Proposal to remove limits on estate worker earnings

COLOMBO (News1st): The Chairmen of all Sri Lankan Regional Plantation Companies have submitted a final proposal to amend the basic daily wage system of plantation workers in the country. Under the final proposal, Regional Plantation Companies are offering a fixed daily wage of Rs. 1,105, with the re-introduction of attendance and productivity incentives. The proposal submitted by regional plantation companies, aims at increasing earnings of plantation workers by 30 percent, while removing an upper limit on wages. The plantation companies have also proposed the implementation of models under which workers are paid based on their productivity. The proposed fixed daily wage will be offered thrice a week, while productivity-based models would be implemented on the other days. Under the productivity-based model, employees can earn Rs 50 for every kilo of tea leaf, and Rs 125 for every kilo of rubber latex. These proposals had been submitted to Minster of Labour Nimal Siripala de Silva during a meeting held today.