Estate workers are on a token strike today (05) demanding an increase in the daily minimum wage to Rs. 1000. The strike is being organized by the Ceylon Workers Congress and several other unions.

There were about 15 rounds of talks between the government, estate employers and the unions over increasing the daily wage of estate workers to Rs. 1,000, but all ended without an agreement. They have pointed out that it is difficult to increase the basic salary.

Instead, the estate employers have proposed to increase the basic salary from Rs. 700 to Rs. 725 and to pay the balance as allowances.

However, the daily wage of estate workers does not exactly become Rs. 1,000. In such an environment, there is still controversy over the wages of estate workers.

Against this backdrop, another discussion on salaries is scheduled to be held on 08 February under the chairmanship of Labor Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.

Meanwhile, the protest march started by political parties and civil society organizations including the Tamil National Alliance in Ampara is still active for the 3rd day today. It is scheduled to commence this morning from the Mullaitivu District. It is scheduled to end in Jaffna tomorrow.

They are protesting against the backdrop of court orders prohibiting protests in the Eastern and Northern Provinces.

Meanwhile, the leader of the Tamil National Alliance, MP R. Sampanthan also participated