TNA urges GoSL, employers to respect Up-Country Tamils' contribution

[TamilNet, Monday, 18 December 2006, 15:23 GMT]
The Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) and the employers of the plantation sector, must act responsibly to address the plight of the plantation sector workers, the majority of whom, economically and socially the most marginalised Tamils of Indian origin, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) said Monday, expressing solidarity with the plantation workers in the up-country. "It cannot be denied that these plantation workers, through their sweat and toil, have continuously made a steadfast contribution to the country's economy."

Full text of the Press Release issued by the TNA follows:

Press Release

The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (Tamil National Alliance) expresses its solidarity with the plantation workers in regard to their demand for a reasonable wage. It cannot be denied that the plantation workers, the vast majority of whom are Tamils of recent Indian origin, are economically and socially the most marginalised section of Sri Lankan society.

It also cannot be denied that these plantation workers through their sweat and toil have continuously made a steadfast contribution to the country's economy.

It is regrettable that the contribution of these hapless people is not adequately recognized.

We consider it the duty of both the Government and the employers to ensure that these workers are paid a salary that is commensurate with their work, and also comparable with the wages received by other similar workers.

The complaint of the workers that the wages received by them is inadequate for their survival and existence, should be given serious consideration by the Government and the employers.

We strongly urge that a compromise which will reasonably address the demand of the workers and which is acceptable to them be arrived at.

R. Sampanthan
Parliamentary Group Leader
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi
Tamil National Alliance