Wage Increase Must Be Granted to All Plantation Workers: Mano Ganesan and Digambaram

09-Jan-2026

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Tamil Progressive Alliance Leader Mano Ganesan stated that while plantation workers are pleased that a Rs. 400 wage increase will be granted next month, the increment must be extended to all plantation workers across all categories.

He said this issue has been brought to the attention of Labour Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando and Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe, stressing that the increase should apply to workers in state plantation companies, private plantation companies, smallholder estates, and private small plantations.

These remarks were made during the Ministry of Labour Consultative Committee meeting held in Parliament on Jan 7, attended by several MPs including Digambaram and Kalaiselvi.

MP Digambaram warned that plantation companies have already begun imposing increased workload requirements, stating that workers would not receive a full day’s wage unless they meet higher leaf-plucking targets. He cautioned that without government intervention, the promised Rs. 400 wage increase would not materialize in practice.

Responding, MP Mano Ganesan said leaf yield varies by season and region, and that it is the government’s responsibility to prevent companies from exploiting this to reduce wages. He expressed confidence that the Minister and Deputy Minister would address the matter and reminded Parliament that Tamil Progressive Alliance MPs supported the government during the budget vote specifically to ensure fair wage increases for plantation workers.