T-bomb in the hills: Nip it in the bud

The plantations strike is in full swing, taking a heavy toll on the national economy. Both workers and the plantation companies are on a suicidal course. Even if the strike were to be called off today, it would be weeks before the estates return to normal, due to days of neglect. Twenty two private plantations had, according to the CEO of the Madulsima and Balangoda Plantations Lalith Obeysekera quoted in a report, in this newspaper yesterday, incurred a loss of Rs. 1.3 to 1.5 billion up to Tuesday. It is a frightening proposition.

Plantation workers who draw a daily wage of Rs. 195 are demanding a basic wage of Rs. 250, while the plantation companies are offering an all inclusive wage of Rs. 250. Negotiations have been deadlocked and some workers are reported to be on the warpath on some estates. They have disconnected water and electricity supplies to estate bungalows. The situation is likely to deteriorate further unless the crisis is defused forthwith.

The plantation owners may claim that they have improved the workers’ lot over the years. But, the estate workers are still living in semi slavery in appalling conditions. Their lives are characterised by malnutrition, illiteracy, indebtedness and alcoholism. Plantations have today become the source of domestic aides to the rest of the country. It is doubtful whether the trade unions which claim to champion the workers’ cause have delivered on their promises. Their leaders look fattened on the sweat stained union funds that the poor workers cough up. They are only using the workers as voting machines at elections while living in clover in Colombo. There are rather disturbing allegations that some trade union fat cats are often sighted at casinos and up-market brothels in the city.

The plight of those workers who keep the economy ticking is a crying shame for Sri Lanka, which boasts of social welfare and democracy. It is surprising why those human rights groups who are a dime a dozen in Colombo shouting themselves hoarse near roundabouts have not taken up the grievances of the estate workers. The poor workers in abject poverty obviously deserve a better deal.

Similarly, one has to look at the larger picture of the plantation industry and appreciate the difficulties of the estate owners as well. And in trying to improve the lives of workers—especially through wage hikes etc.,—one shouldn’t try to drive Peter into insolvency to pay Paul. It is a big mistake to demonise the estate owners and condemn them to the trade union stake. The trade unions in this country are only demand-oriented. Their members don’t give two hoots about their responsibilities and the well being of the industry that pays their salaries or wages. They are all out to obtain their pound of flesh close to the hearts of their employers. Similarly, the employers remain tightfisted without letting at least part of their profits trickle down to the workers, who are their most valuable asset. The motto guiding the plantation workers and their paymasters is: You lick, they kick and you kick, they lick. This kind of animus between the employer and the employee is the bane of not only the plantations but the economy as a whole.

Given that kind of vendetta, it is wishful thinking that the on-going dispute could be sorted out between the employers and workers with the intervention of the lower rankers of the government. Veteran trade unionist and Presidential Advisor Vasudeva Nanayakkara is right in having sought the presidential intervention to resolve the crisis. It behoves the President, the author of the ill-fated Workers’ Charter, to spring into action without letting the grass grow under his executive feet any longer. The economy is perched on an economic time bomb.

Unfortunately, all government leaders, both past and present, don’t seem to believe in proactive thinking and pre-emptive action. They are galvanised into action only when the crisis enters its final phase—disaster. The Port strike the country experienced a few months ago is a case in point. While the strike was raging, the government Neros pretended that the Colombo Port was functioning better than even its Singaporean counterpart. The gantries had ceased to move and the economy was screaming. It was after the country lost billions of rupees and the shipping lines began to bypass Colombo that the government woke from its slumber.

President Rajapakse must invite the representatives of employers’ associations and the workers’ unions and help them settle the dispute not only in their interest but also that of the entire country, which will have to face the ill effects of the solar plexus punches being dealt to the economy repeatedly. A stitch in time, it is said, saves nine.

Will the President realise the gravity of the situation?