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| Sunday, 7 March 2004 |
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Tea trade concerned about workers being used for election campaigns by Elmo Leonard There is widespread fear among the Colombo tea trade that plantation workers will be used for political campaigns, leading to absenteeism and a consequent drop in tea prices, which the industry, hit by escalating losses, could ill-afford. The plantation worker, armed with universal suffrage, is currently evolving into a more political-conscious citizen, and is being used in campaigns by upcountry political parties. In the past, the Ceylon Workers' Congress, now led by Arumugan Thondaman had won many demands of pay rises for estate workers of Indian descent. The ongoing political activity in tea plantations is expected to heighten before the April 2 General Election, resulting in absenteeism of workers, which will spoil the good quality of the tender tea leaf, now reaching the factory. Backed by the prevailing dry weather, the total Colombo Auction sales average for February reached Rs 161.71 per kilo, the highest monthly average recorded. If violence continues after the elections, and workers do not return, the tea leaf plucked will get coarse, resulting in lower prices, a spokesman for Asia Siyaka (brokers) said. Ironically, plantation workers will keep away from work before and after the Sinhala and Hindu New Year, which falls on April 12 and 13. The Vesak holidays of early May will also lead to coarse tea leaves reaching the factory, the spokesman said. |
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