Plantation sector workers in Sri Lanka are set to receive a revised daily minimum wage of Rs. 1,350, effective October 10. This increase comes with an additional allowance of Rs. 50 for each extra kilo harvested, following successful negotiations between Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs), trade unions, and the Wages Board.
According to industry sources, the agreement with the Estate Sector Wage Control Council was formalized at the Labour Department. The new Rs. 1,350 basic wage, outlined in the latest Gazette, does not include contributions to the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and Employees’ Trust Fund (ETF). However, when these contributions are factored in, workers’ total earnings are expected to exceed Rs. 1,500 per day.
Payments for the revised wages, typically calculated monthly, will be disbursed on the 10th of the following month. This wage adjustment follows numerous discussions and disagreements between employers and trade unions, with workers advocating for improved compensation. The newly established wage structure is viewed as a crucial advancement in enhancing the livelihoods of plantation workers, who have long sought fair remuneration.
Under the productivity-based model, estate workers in the tea and rubber sectors will have the opportunity to earn additional income based on their daily output. Previously, plantation workers received a basic wage of Rs. 1,000, with an extra Rs. 40 per kilo for exceeding a target of 20 kilos of tea leaves.