The government would intervene to resolve the crisis in the estate sector if the trade unions and the companies failed to reach a settlement on a salary hike for the workers, Plantation Industries Minister D. M. Jayaratne told Parliament yesterday.

The government must be fair by both parties, the Minister said.

As much as workers’ rights needed to be protected, the interests of the plantation companies should be safeguarded, he said.

Minister Jayaratne made these remarks in response to a special statement made by Chief Opposition Whip Joseph Michael Perera about the go-slow by estate workers demanding an increase in their daily wage from the present rate of Rs. 290 to Rs. 500.

MP Perera said that the government must step in immediately to break the deadlock in talks between the two sides.

MP Mano Ganeshan said the workers were in dire economic need for a pay hike and the government must ensure they were given their dues.

Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said that with the increase in the cost of living, the estate workers were in need of a better pay. He said that the estate workers received the lowest salary of the work force in Sri Lanka.

JVP Parliamentary Group leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that the current daily wage of the estate workers was determined by a method devised by a collective agreement between the employers and workers. "The Minister cannot shirk his responsibility by saying employers and employees must sort out their problems. The government must intervene immediately", he said.

Justice and Law Reforms Deputy Minister V. Puththirasigamoney said some political parties tried to fish in troubled waters.

"I am from the estate sector and aware of the situation well. There is no impasse or deadlock in talks between the employers and workers. The unions must be given ample time to talk and win their rights", he said.