Court to take up plantation companies’ petition against minimum wage gazette today

The Court of Appeal will take up for consideration a petition filed by plantation companies seeking to invalidate a gazette notification issued by the Minister of Labour, which sets a minimum daily wage for plantation workers. 

The petition, filed by 21 plantation companies, names Labour Minister Manusha Nanayakkara, the Labour Commissioner, and 52 others as respondents.

The petitioners argue that the Minister’s recent gazette, establishing a minimum daily wage of Rs. 1,350 for plantation workers, along with additional allowances of Rs. 300 and Rs. 80, was issued without their input. They assert that this decision breaches the principles of natural justice.

Additionally, the petitioners also referenced various political statements made during this year’s May Day rallies, which highlighted concerns over the minimum wage issue.

The plantation companies argued that the Minister’s action was arbitrary and is seeking an order to nullify it.