Hatton, Sri Lanka – Dr. Ilango Gandhi, leader of the All Lanka Progressive Workers Front, has accused the National People’s Power (NPP) government of failing to deliver on its promises to estate workers, stating that the first budget of the new administration provides no real relief to plantation workers.
Speaking to the media from his Hatton office, Dr. Gandhi stated that the government had pledged during the presidential and parliamentary elections to increase the daily wage of estate workers to Rs. 2,000, citing that their current wages were insufficient for a decent living. However, despite these promises, the budget has only proposed an increase to Rs. 1,700, and plantation companies have yet to implement the new salary structure.
Dr. Gandhi further expressed disappointment, saying that estate workers who believed in the NPP’s promises and voted for them have now been let down. He stressed that the plantation sector is a major contributor to Sri Lanka’s economy, yet its workers continue to face severe financial difficulties. The lack of immediate action from both the government and plantation companies has left workers uncertain about when, or if, they will receive the promised salary increment.
He criticized the government for its failure to prioritize estate workers’ livelihoods, stating that they have been deceived once again, just as in the past. He urged the NPP government to take urgent steps to ensure that plantation workers receive the salary increase they were promised, emphasizing the importance of improving their living standards.
Dr. Gandhi concluded by calling on the government to honor its election pledges and take immediate action to uplift the estate worker community, who continue to be neglected despite their contributions to the country’s economy.
