Kerala plantation workers’ daily pay increased by ₹48

Bringing cheer to the State’s plantation sector, the Plantation Labour Committee has decided to increase the daily wages of workers by ₹48. This decision, covering labourers in the rubber, tea, coffee, and cardamom sectors, was finalised during a high-level meeting of trade union leaders and employer representatives chaired by Labour Minister V. Sivankutty.

The revised wage structure is set to take effect from April 1, with employers directed to implement the hike immediately. Additionally, as interim relief, workers will receive a one-time payment of ₹1,000. It has been clarified that ₹500 of this amount will be treated as a grant and will not be recovered by the management. According to trade union representatives, the struggle for a wage hike in Kerala’s plantation sector has been persistent, driven by the growing disparity between stagnant income levels and the soaring cost of living.

Minister V. Sivankutty said that the government’s primary policy is to protect and support the labour force, especially during challenging times. He added that this intervention comes at a crucial juncture when the plantation industry is grappling with a global crisis and a sharp decline in the prices of plantation crops. “Despite these economic hurdles, the government prioritised the welfare of the workers to ensure their livelihood remains sustainable,” said the Minister.

The Kerala Plantation Labour Federation (CITU) lauded both the State government and the plantation managements for their willingness to implement the wage hike. “To celebrate the hike and the government’s pro-worker stance, victory marches and celebratory meetings will be held across all plantations in the State on March 9 and 10,” said Federation State president S. Jayamohan and general secretary K.K. Jayachandran.