Court denies petition by RPCs against new minimum wage gazette 

The Court of Appeal refused to issue an injunction order in response to a petition filed by 21 Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) yesterday. 

The petition sought to suspend the implementation of the gazette issued by the Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment, which mandates an increase in the salary of estate workers to Rs. 1,700.

A bench chaired by Justice SobithaRajakaruna of the Court of Appeal considered the petition filed by 21 RPCs against respondents Labour Minister ManushaNanayakkara, the Labour Commissioner, and 52 others rejected the requested injunction.



Faizer Mustapha PC appeared on behalf of the Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment, while Additional Solicitor General Vikum de Abrew represented the Commissioner General of Labour and the Secretary of the Wages Board.

During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Vikum de Abrew informed the court that the RPCs boycotted the meeting when the Wages Board was convened. He said as a result, the Labour Commissioner exercised the powers assigned to the Labour Minister and took legal steps to increase the wages of estate workers. 

Faizer Mustapha, PC, argued that the petition filed by the RPCs lacked a signature from someone with legal authority.

Considering these facts, the Court of Appeal declined to grant the injunction requested by the RPCs.