Tamil Nadu   

Plantation workers demand minimum daily wage of Rs.100

— Photo: M. Balaji

Congress MLA Kovai Thangam speaking at the fast organised by the joint committee of plantation workers unions in Valparai on Sunday.

VALPARAI: Valparai legislator Kovai Thangam on Sunday urged the Government to take all necessary steps for an early wage agreement for plantation workers of Valparai providing a minimum wage of Rs.100 a day.

Speaking at the day long fast organised by the Joint Committee of Plantation Workers Unions here on Sunday condemning the alleged adamant attitude of estate managements in wage settlement, Mr. Thangam accused estate managements of adopting every possible delaying tactics.

He said plantation workers of Valprai were receiving a daily wage of Rs.78 for plucking a minimum of 38 kg while their counterparts in Kerala receive Rs.94 for plucking 14 kg.

He said that the disparity could not be allowed.

He wanted the State Government to take firm steps for upward revision of wages for estate workers.

Mr. Thangam said that the population of Valparai has come down as more than 50,000 estate workers had left for plains due to poor wages. He said workers could not give good education to their wards if the situation continues.

He said that poor plantation workers have been leading a miserable life in the light of spiralling prices.

For years their wages have not improved when compare to other fields. The estate managements should come forward to improve living standards of workers, he stressed.

He urged the Chief Minister to take all steps for the workers getting a fair, reasonable wage to lead a decent life.

All major trade unions including LPF, ATP, MLF, INTUC, AITUC, and CITU took part the fast, in which more than 3,000 workers participated.

Valparai V. Hameed of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam asked the Tamil Nadu Government should fix a minimum of Rs.100 a day if the talks between planters and trade unions failed.

Former MLA V.P. Singaravelu of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Valparai Municipal Chairman N. Ganesan and several others spoke.

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