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After the wage agreement in November 2006, I wrote an article
detailing the remuneration package of the workers including the non-wage
benefits enjoyed by them.
Since the plantation workers' wage has been once again highlighted in
the media, it is prudent to re-visit the subject.
Although, the previous wage agreement was valid until December 31,
2008, the Unions demanded another increase in October 2007 stating that
the Government had given a basic wage of Rs. 5,000 per month to all
workers.
The increase in the Cost of Living was also cited as a reason for
this new demand. The companies did not agree to the increase and it was
finally granted on a Presidential 'directive.
On the earlier wage package, a worker could earn Rs. 6,500 per month,
as 25 days of work are guaranteed. This comprised a basic wage of Rs.
170, a Fixed PSS of Rs. 20 and an attendance incentive of Rs. 70 (for 75
per cent and over outturn on days work offered) totaling to Rs. 260 per
day.
Consequent to the recent increase, the new package is as follows:-
Basic Rs. 200
Fixed PSS Rs. 20
Attendance Incentive Rs. 70
(same outturn as earlier)
Total Rs. 290
This increase will cost the Companies Rs. 1.7 Billion per annum as
there are 58 Million man days in the tea and rubber sector. The impact
per company is around Rs.80 to Rs. 120 million per annum depending on
the workforce.
A worker could now earn Rs. 7,250 per month. In addition, pluckers
and tappers are paid for overkilos which also could be as much as Rs. 40
to Rs. 50 per day or Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 1,250 per month.
The average employment per house-hold in the plantation sector is 2.5
workers and hence the monthly family income is between Rs. 18,125 to Rs.
21,250.
In addition to the above, the plantation worker gets many non-wage
benefits not enjoyed by the rural/urban worker.
These include housing, water, medical, creches, transport to
hospital, cooking fuel (all free) which amounts to approximately Rs. 90
per day or Rs. 2,700 per month. They also get 17 days holiday wages and
an attendance bonus of Rs. 850 per annum.
They also enjoy three paid holidays and are also entitled to a five
years gratuity (after five years' service) even if they work one day in
a month. They also receive maternity benefits amounting to Rs.15,840 for
the first two children and Rs. 7,920 for the third or subsequent
children. The coffins and gravediggers are also provided free of charge.
SARATH PERERA
Sri Lanka has been through a nightmare for the last two decades or
so, as a result of Tiger terrorism under the cover of a pseudo
liberation struggle.
In media reports, we habitually use the notoriously famous
four-letter abbreviation when referring to atrocities of these
terrorists.
It is time now to change this way of reporting and refer to them only
as 'Tiger terrorists' as beyond any doubt that is what they are. These
terrorist leaders also have various titles attached to their names such
as 'Colonel' or 'Major' etc.
There is no need to recognise these fancy titles the terrorists are
using.
For a genuine soldier in Sri Lanka's Armed Forces, it is a proud
moment to be elevated from one rank to the other.
In due recognition and respect to Sri Lankan Armed Personnel, it is
also time we refrain from using these military titles when making
reference to the Tiger terrorists.
Therefore, I request all newspaper editors and other media personnel
to establish a voluntary code of conduct to refrain from using this
notoriously famous four-letter abbreviation and the fancy titles used by
these terrorists in all their reporting, and simply refer to them as
Tiger terrorists and gang leaders respectively.
INDRAJITH DE SILVA,
England
Recently the Daily News carried a full page advertisement for SLT
announcing their supposed tariff cut which in parts is not the case as a
substantial increase has been imposed on the economy rate. At present,
we get three minutes talk time during the economy time period as against
one minute during the peak period.
The new rates mean that Rs 2.80 is charged for one minute and Rs 4.20
for the economy rate which by using the former/at present time allowance
periods equates to a 50 per cent increase on the economy rate.
W. D. Adams
Imposition of and by sound. That's what I call the incessant loud,
indecipherable and meaningless incantations that emanate from temple
loudspeakers and the street corner statue loudspeakers.
If these loud and intrusive sounds are meant to promote Buddhist
principles as the loudest and so the best, then they have succeeded
partly, but certainly at the expense of a large minority, if not the
majority, who are irritated, disturbed and annoyed at the nuisance these
loudspeakers cause.
The original offenders, were the mosques, with their early morning
call to prayer and since such devices did not exist in the times of the
Prophet, its usage, though initially an advantage, has now lost its
relevance. It is the same with other purportedly religious cacophony.
The modern day provides for personal options when practising
religion, without intruding into others' lives. The radio, TV, CD, DVD
and other forms of electronic media provide access to any religion at
anytime. Why then loudspeakers. Early morning bana has been available on
radio for well nigh 40 years.
It is a statement that reverberates very loud and clearly that the
law can be broken in the name of religion. I cannot single out Buddhists
or Muslims, Christians of various denominations, too during times of
feasts and other merrymaking and observances use loudspeakers, without
concern to the public at large, as do the Hindus, but to a lesser
degree.
Using loudspeakers in the name of religion therefore becomes a common
factor, most significant being that the majority appears to impose their
will on the minorities, as was done similarly with language sometime
back. The result of which is now evident. Can we not learn from our
mistakes?
If the Government departments propagate the use of loudspeakers for
their routine functions, it then becomes legal de facto.
Offending sounds come in various forms in addition to religious use,
lottery vendors, loud radio use by neighbours, dogs, vehicle air horns
and exhausts, musical shows and of course industrial noises from various
factories. It is basically their levels that are offensive and a
nuisance. Laws to prosecute such nuisances are available, though their
enforcement is visibly lacking.
It must also be noted that all of these sounds, especially
loudspeakers are offensive not only to humans but to the avifauna as
well. I would invite scientific confirmation of this.
Indiscriminate use of loudspeakers and proliferation of sound without
concern to others is very uncivilised, besides being illegal. I would
welcome any enactments that ban the use of loudspeakers and I exhort the
Government to first show intent by enforcing the already existing
nuisance laws.
D. M. BALASURIYA
After reading the article with regards to cattle theft, it is the
best idea to have ear tags on the animal, with a number, and this number
should be able to trace the owner, area which the animal came from. For
that there should be a data base, so that animals can be traced back.
If you need more information please do not hesitate to contact me on
the e mail - mlrf@iprimus.com.au
LAL FERNANDO
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