Since the slow work of the estate workers for two weeks demanding a wage increase has not proved successful, the estate workers propose to stage a strike.

The trade union representatives of the estate workers deliberated with the Employers‘ Federation on the basis that the present earnings are not equivalent to their quantum of work and that their present daily wages are not enough to cope with the current cost of living.

The Employers’ Federation have turned down the demand made by the estate workers for an increase in the daily wages as demanded by them. In such a context, Ceylon Workers Congress, National Plantation Workers’ Federation and Plantation Workers’ Trade Union have decided to temporarily withdraw from any discussions regarding the daily wages. They have also appealed to the workers to give up their trade union actions.

The estate workers expect their trade unions to get them their increase in daily wages. Therefore there should be a unified action among the estate workers to win their demands. The trade Unions must refrain from any rivalry among them and work for the welfare of the estate workers.

It is a moral obligation to find an amicable settlement to this reasonable demand.

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

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