Sri Lanka’s Wages Board has mandated a daily wage of 1,700 rupees for plantation workers, which legislators argue amounts to 2,000 rupees with provident fund benefits. This decision follows earlier political threats to expropriate firms not complying with the new wage regulations.
Legislator Vadivel Suresh highlighted that the wage includes 1,350 rupees plus EPF, ETF, and gratuity, and a 350-rupee incentive, bringing the total to over 2,000 rupees.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced the 1,700-rupee wage at a May Day rally. The Wages Board’s decision saw 14 votes in favor and three against, with supporters emphasizing adherence to Fair Trade International Labour standards and dismissing claims of political motives.