Govt signs agreement with plantation companies to increase estate workers daily wage

This morning, on the 30th, the Government and the Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) signed an agreement at the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure. This agreement will raise the daily wage of plantation workers to Rs. 1,750. Present at the signing were Ministry Secretary Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Wages Board officials, and other representatives. According to the 2026 Budget proposal, the wage will increase from the current Rs. 1,350 by Rs. 400. Of this increase, Rs. 200 will be paid by the plantation companies, and the Government will cover the other Rs. 200. The new daily wage will take effect on 1 January 2026. The Government will send its share to the regional plantation companies after they receive records of employee attendance for January, which are due on 3 February. The plantation companies have also provided bank account information for the workers, and the necessary steps have been taken to ensure that the Rs. 200 government allowance is deposited directly into their accounts.