With the deadlock over the wage increase of estate workers, the plantation sector is in disarray. The estate workers demand Rs350 as daily wages. The workers initially engaged in slow work but now they are ready for a strike to realize their demand.

Trade Union struggles are banned under the Emergency Regulations that are currently in force.

In case of a strike, legal action can be taken against the trade Union leaders for inciting the workers to go on the strike. Even the property of the trade Union leaders can be seized under the Emergency Regulations. It is in this context that the workers are called upon to take part in slow work.

Yet certain trade Unions including the Upcountry Peoples’ Front have called for a strike even braving these provisions of the Emergency Regulations. In view of the deadlock that has arisen over the wage increase between the estate workers and the Employers’ Federation the government must intervene and resolve this issue.

An English translation of the Editorial in Thinakkural,a Tamil daily, based in Colombo

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