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TUs – RPCs wage hike talks inconclusive
Several rounds of discussions with estate sector unions and the regional plantation companies facilitated by the Government towards reaching agreement on a wage hike ended inconclusively by Friday.
On Wednesday the Government announced agreement had been reached with the estate workers to Rs.730 per day’s pay which would be an increase of Rs.110 from the present Rs.620 all inclusive wage.
But Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) Vice President S. Arullsamy said while they had agreed on Rs.730 as an all-inclusive wage hike, they wanted employers to ensure they were given six days of work per week against the current four days.
He noted that if these conditions were not met they would not agree to finalise the collective agreement which is over 18 months overdue.
There have been widespread protests across plantations this week demanding a higher wage by workers said to be backing the CWC.
Planters Association Chairman Sunil Poholiyadde told the Business Times on Friday that the companies had agreed to provide a Rs.730 wage hike but certain issues still remain to be discussed.
He noted that they had decided on a productivity based wage system and a productivity incentive of Rs.140 would be given to the workers if they achieve the estate specific requirement of the amount of work.
It is learnt that there would be further discussions next week with the relevant authorities before attempting to reach a final agreement with the unions by around October 15.
Meanwhile, about three months back, the CWC on the invitation of President Maithripala Sirisena has had talks to support the Government through the People’s Alliance.
The CWC has been a supporter of the PA since ex-President Chandrika Kumaratunga was in power and had continued to be part of the alliance. However, when sides changed under the new alliance with the UNP government the CWC was seen as backing former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s group.
However, the CWC on Friday said that following talks with the President the CWC had assured its support to the Government.