• TPA Dep. Leader and SJB N’Eliya Oppo. MP Palani Thigambaram proposed that plantation land should be leased to plantation workers on a performance basis model with fertiliser also provided
• Even if a kilo of tea leaves was bought from the workers by the Govt./plantation cos. at around Rs. 90/kg, the workers can earn close to Rs. 2,000 a day if they sell 20 kg/day

The plantation sector in Sri Lanka continues to grapple with long-standing challenges, particularly concerning workers’ wages and living conditions. Despite repeated discussions in the Parliament, including debates over raising the daily wage to Rs. 1,700, little progress has been made either at the policy level or by plantation companies.

This was pointed out by Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) Deputy Leader and the main Opposition, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya’s (SJB) Nuwara Eliya District Parliamentarian Palani Thigambaram, who proposed that Sri Lanka should adopt new wage models where workers get more autonomy regarding harvest and land. 

He noted that in the long-run, the sense of ownership will be beneficial to the workers and the sector. He discussed a number of issues faced by the plantation areas and the plantation sector during an interview with The Daily Morning.

Following are excerpts from the interview:

The wage-related issue faced by plantation sector workers has been going on for a long time despite successive Government plans and interventions. The incumbent Government has also promised to increase their wages to Rs. 1,700. What is your take on the wage-related issues?

I have been saying for a long time that when it comes to the plantation sector, income and profit receive the most attention. Workers don’t get any return. Plantation companies keep claiming that the sector is suffering losses. If it is not profitable, why are they continuing this business? They can hand it over to the Government. The Rs. 1,700 salary hike is not being given at the moment, and after all these discussions, it might still take around three years to actually materialise.

This model (of wages) should be changed. At least, land should be given to the workers on lease. Give them fertiliser for them to be able to manage this land, and either the Government or the plantation companies can purchase tea leaves from them. Even if a kilogram of tea leaves was bought from them at around Rs. 90 after providing them with the fertiliser, they can earn close to Rs. 2,000 a day if they sell 20 kg a day. If they could pluck more, they can earn even more. That is the sort of approach that should be adopted. If we adopt this payment model, not just current workers but their children will also work in the sector as they have a sense of ownership of the leased land. The Government can give land on lease and take them back if the performance is not satisfactory. If we adopt such a model, it will provide a permanent solution.

If the present situation continues, workers will stop going to work. Look at the present situation where workers migrate to Colombo and work in various places such as construction sites where they earn around Rs. 3,500-4,000 a day. It would lead to the extinction of the plantation sector.

The plantation sector is facing issues other than those related to wages including land and infrastructure issues. How do you propose to address these issues in a manner that the community can benefit?

It is not realistically possible to give every person in the plantation sector land. Giving land in such a manner will require a massive amount of land. Instead, providing assistance to build them houses is important, which the former United National Front for Good Governance (‘Yahapalanaya’) Government managed well and to which I also helped with the Indian Government’s assistance. But, when that Government was voted out, this programme came to a halt. The present Government’s authorities don’t seem to be very enthusiastic about it. A large number of people are living in underprivileged conditions.

When it comes to priorities concerning development projects, school facilities are crucial as education is a priority. The Government should pay attention to this. It does not matter how many houses we build, because without education, this community will not advance. Relief programmes like Aswesuma are not priorities. If talks are held with the community and the necessary assistance is provided, they can earn themselves.

There is a huge Tamil community in the northern and eastern parts of the country as well. What is the nature of the relationship between the politicians based there and those based in the hill/up country areas?

Unlike before, present north-and east-based politicians maintain good relationships with us. We will support good initiatives that they launch, while detrimental initiatives will not receive our support. Regardless of what they want, we don’t support the country to be divided. We should live united. However, their rights should be given to them. The war went on for 30 years and they were affected by it. Those concerns should be addressed including through political solutions. We don’t support the division and destruction of the country.

What do you think about the work environments of those employed in the plantation sector and those who have exited the sector seeking jobs elsewhere?

There are around 120,000 workers in the plantation sector. Their children are employed in various jobs, and unlike before, they can now succeed if they work hard in those jobs. They earn well. The community has changed a little as far as that is concerned. There are some who have earned well through hard work and they are in good places. But, it is difficult for all 120,000 workers in the sector to do the same, and they are the ones who have issues and need solutions. It is for them that we demand solutions such as land distribution on lease.

India has extended assistance to plantation sector workers on various occasions. What is your opinion about the community’s relationship with India and how it can be improved?

Actually, we came from India. We tell the country including the Government that we should maintain good ties with India. Their economy will soon become the world’s third largest economy. It will help us increase tourists and investments, among other things. Whenever we are facing issues, India is the first country to come forward to assist us, and we have seen it during the economic crisis and the tsunami. The Government is balancing ties with other countries including China and the United States. However, priority should be given to India. It is the closest country to us, and it comes to help us first. It has assisted various projects (in Sri Lanka) which we should implement without delay. These include loans and grants as well. It would be a waste if we don’t use those opportunities. We should keep neighbouring countries close and friendly.

The increasing use of illegal drugs is an issue facing the entire country. Has the plantation sector also been affected by this issue?

It is not as widespread in plantation areas as some claim. It is more prevalent in areas like Colombo. There are a handful of individuals using cannabis (in plantation areas). The plantation sector people don’t have money to use these substances. Perhaps those who have gone to Colombo for work may be using them. The Government alone can’t address these issues. Parents should talk with their children, and people should take action themselves. Strict laws are a necessity. However, people should also act responsibly. 

The LGBTQIA+ community in plantation areas are coming forward more openly than before. What do you think about ensuring their rights?

I personally believe that people should be given their rights, and that it should not be politicised. A person should be able to make decisions for themselves. No one has the right to forcibly make another person do anything.

Wild animal attacks and wild animals being killed in plantation areas have become more common occurrences lately. What solutions do you think should be provided in this regard?

Animals like leopards didn't come out like this before. Back then, plantation lands were clean. But now, trees have grown, and they should be cleared. But, plantation companies only think about profits. They should take responsibility for this situation. Back then, wild animals rarely came out, although now such incidents are more prevalent.

As a representative of the Tamil people based primarily in plantation areas, what do you think about the new Government’s responses to the issues faced by the plantation sector community?

When the present President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was in the Opposition, he was very vocal about plantation sector people’s issues including low salaries, inferior job conditions, and issues concerning recognition. However, once he came to power, there seems to be no plan to provide solutions to those issues.

Not enough seems to be happening with regard to allocating funds and taking action to address those issues. There is a discussion about plantation sector workers’ salaries. It has been a year (since the Election of the present Government). Even though these issues – especially about raising the daily wage to Rs. 1,700 – are discussed in the Parliament almost every day, there has been no solution, and even plantation companies don’t implement such. Our people voted for President Dissanayake for the first time. They expected that things would change. But, it has been a year since the Government came to power.