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| Sunday, 12 May 2002 |
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Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Rs.
1000m investment in estate worker welfare
Regional Plantations Companies (RPCs) have invested heavily in worker welfare and modernisation of factories since the privatisation of tea estates in 1992, the Planters Association of Ceylon (PA) claimed last week. The Association said that the RPCs have invested over Rs. 1,000 million on social development and welfare activities in the plantations so far. The PA, comprising 23 estates and a workforce of nearly 200,000, is planning to continue this investment drive, the Association told the media. Convenor Media Committee and Deputy General Manager John Keells Holdings, Jitendra R. Gunaratne said that this investment would be made by the member companies within the next six years. Self-help housing and upgrading of present housing stock absorbed 45 per cent of the funds while clean water supply (19 per cent), sanitation (18 per cent), creches, dispensaries, maternity wards and staff training (18 per cent) accounted for the balance. Mr Gunaratne said that the emphasis during the next six years would be on housing, sanitation and skills development. Mahendra Amarasuriya, President, said they have, on numerous occasions, increased the wages of the estate workers by 67 per cent. Social and health indicators have taken a positive turn and the human resource policies of estate management have turned favourably towards the workers. New technology and safety measurers too have been introduced for better production. The Association said better sales for Ceylon Tea worldwide would translate into more profits for the estates and hence, improved welfare facilities for the workers. |
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