CPI says no question of increasing work hours in lieu of wages
Woman plantation workers attend the strike
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A day ahead of the Plantation Labour Committee meeting, companies were willing to look at some hike in wages if linked to productivity and affordability.
Sources close to plantation companies said they appreciated the aspirations of workers and were keen to discuss all issues at the crucial Plantation Labour Committee (PLC) meeting on Friday.
“Even in the current wage level we are making losses worth '36 per kg. It is in this backdrop that we explained that we don’t have the capacity to pay the hike demanded by workers. But we want to discuss all issues with an open mind, we are optimistic,” said an association office bearer.
CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran said there was no question of any increase in working hours in lieu of hike in wages.
“We are not going to budge an inch from our demand for Rs 500 per day wages. If they insist on increasing the working hours, the indefinite strike will continue. On Monday the entire plantation sector came to a halt. Barring a few divisions in Munnar, the strike was 100 per cent success across the state with over 3 lakh workers taking part in the agitation,” he said.
The CPI leader said that while the strength of workers had gone down in many plantations, the production has remained either static or gone up.
“This clearly means that the work load of existing workers had increased manifold. How can we agree to the companies demand for further increase in working hours?” he asked.
Meanwhile, chief minister Oommen Chandy said if everyone was positive the government would be able to find an amicable solution to the issue on Tuesday.
He said the government would not take any decision which would destroy the plantation sector.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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