Sri Lanka is set to launch an insurance scheme aimed at providing financial protection to workers involved in the risky practice of tapping kithul, coconut, and palm trees. The announcement was made by Pemasiri Jasingarachchi, Chairman of the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board, highlighting the importance of safeguarding the lives of workers who face inherent dangers in their line of work.
“Kithul, coconut, and palm workers risk their lives when they climb the trees to do their jobs,” Jasingarachchi stated. The new insurance scheme will cover death, total disability, and other critical injuries that may occur during their work.
Comprehensive Coverage for Workers
The scheme will provide varying levels of coverage, offering benefits of up to 2 million rupees for permanent disability or death. In addition, workers will also be covered for temporary disability and hospitalization, ensuring a comprehensive safety net for workers who rely on this physically demanding and dangerous work.
Farmers and tappers can enroll in the scheme by contributing an annual fee, with options ranging from 2,000 rupees to 8,000 rupees, depending on the level of coverage they choose. This affordable contribution ensures that workers, especially those in rural areas, can benefit from much-needed financial protection against accidents and health-related issues on the job.
A Lifeline for Vulnerable Workers
The initiative responds to long-standing concerns from kithul, coconut, and palm tappers, who face considerable risks while harvesting sap from tall trees. These industries, crucial to Sri Lanka’s agricultural output and local economy, have lacked sufficient safety measures for workers despite the hazardous nature of the work.
The insurance scheme will offer peace of mind to thousands of tappers who often work without adequate protection or social security. By providing accessible and affordable coverage, the government aims to secure the welfare of these essential workers and their families.
Strengthening Rural Economic Stability
This insurance scheme is part of the government’s broader efforts to strengthen rural economies and improve the livelihoods of agricultural workers across Sri Lanka. It ensures that the backbone of the country’s rural workforce is not left vulnerable to the risks that come with their essential, yet perilous, labor.
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