Talks fail, plantation workers' strike continues eighth day

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 12 December 2006, 03:37 GMT]
The strike by plantation workers entered eighth day Tuesday as the talks held Monday evening at the Labour Ministry office between representatives of strikers and employers' federation again failed to reach a settlement on the demand for a daily wage increase to Rs: 300, trade union sources said.

Minister Athauda Seneviratne presided over the discussion which centered on finding an amicable settlement on the amount to be increased as daily wage instead of Rs; 300/= as demanded by the workers, sources said.

Both parties to the issue stood firm in their stand and the discussion ended again in a stalemate as Mr.Athauda announced that another discussion would be held later, sources said.

Meanwhile, striking workers are reported to be continuing their trade union action blocking rail and bus transport services, holding sit-in-protests and demonstrations in their estate areas, sources said.