The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, thank you for the opportunity to remark on the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Bill. We welcome the decision to raise the minimum from Rs. 21,000 to Rs. 30,000 by January next year.

¶ 02 However, whether in public or private sectors, as far as I know, everyone now receives more than Rs. 1,200 daily; although the statutory minimum is Rs. 21,000, most get more. But in the case of plantation workers, there is an injustice. Though an Rs. 1,350 minimum was ensured, today it is not sufficient. Plantation workers and union leaders have continuously demanded a fair wage.

¶ 03 We remember — during the Presidential and Parliamentary elections — including the current President and trade union leaders — all promised to raise the daily wage to Rs. 1,700. Nearly a year has passed since you came to power, but there is not even a proper process or negotiation with companies to ensure Rs. 1,700 daily.

¶ 04 Beyond wages, you promised to resolve housing and basic infrastructure for plantation people, but to date not even discussions have taken place. Therefore, as you present these proposals, I request that you necessarily proceed to implement the Rs. 1,700 daily wage for plantation workers, and at minimum, engage with plantation companies in the upcoming Budget to establish a mechanism.

¶ 05 On the other hand, tea is a main plantation sector. Tea contributes significantly to the economy and foreign exchange. Sadly, the tea industry is collapsing; smallholders are in dire straits. Small tea holders contribute about 75 percent of tea exports, yet they are now destitute. Currently, green leaf prices are around Rs. 150–160 per kilogram; the Ministry of Plantation Industries has not intervened. There is no program to improve yields. Due to wrong decisions of the previous Government, farmers did not receive fertilizer on time, reducing harvests.