Plantation workers slam opposition over wage hike

Estate workers in the Norwood area staged a protest yesterday afternoon (16) by smashing 108 coconuts to express their disapproval of certain Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) who are opposing the decision by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the current government to allocate Rs. 200 from the Treasury towards increasing the daily wage of estate workers.

The protesting estate workers stated that historically, they had to resort to strikes and protests to secure wage increases. However, for the first time in history, the President and the current government acted to grant a Rs. 400 wage increase at once without the need for strikes or protests.

They further stated that politicians in the plantation sector representing the Opposition, and certain Opposition groups, do not understand the suffering of the plantation community. They vowed to give their full support in the future to the rulers who do understand their plight.