Appeal Court dismisses RPCs’ objection case to minimum Rs. 1,000 daily wage

The Court of Appeal has last week dismissed the action filed by 20 Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) seeking to challenge a decision made by the Wages Board for the Tea Growing and Manufacturing Trade and the Wages Board for rubber growing and manufacturing trade which entitled plantation workers to a daily minimum wage of Rs. 1,000.

The RPCs contended that such a wage increase would cause significant losses to them and impact the overall industry adversely, and on that basis sought orders from court quashing the challenged decision. 

On the other hand, several members of the Wages Board argued that the payment of Rs. 1000 to plantation workers was well founded and long overdue considering the conditions in which plantation workers are required to work.

The Counsel appearing for the members of the Wages Board further informed Court that most affected by any decision taken by the Court of Appeal to cancel the decision taken by the Wages Board would be the plantation workers themselves, who were not represented or made parties before Court. 

Further, it was strenuously argued that the decision taken by the Wages Board to increase the minimum daily wage to which plantation workers were entitled was taken having considered the objections of the RPCs and was completely legal.

Following a prolonged and exhaustive hearing of all parties present before Court, a bench of the Court of Appeal comprising Justice Sobitha Rajakaruna and Justice Mayadunne Corea refused to grant the relief prayed for by the RPCs and dismissed the petition.

Romesh de Silva PC with Sugath Caldera and Niran Anketell appeared for the Regional Plantation Companies. Avindra Rodrigo PC with Ashiq Hassim and Vishwaka Peiris appeared for some members of the Wages Board.