More welfare measures for female workers -ISD

Institute of Social Development (ISD) a NGO closely working with the plantation sector workers highlights specific issues that are faced by the women labourers in the plantation sector. Based on its recent studies ISD has presented a report to the plantation trade unions and the Employers Federation of Ceylon.

ISD has recommended following proposals to address the issues faced by the women plantation workers. Allow women leaders to participate at Labour Day and grant them duty leave from 2.00 pm, appoint women officers in the discussions to entertain women specific grievances and issues, provide full fledged rest rooms for women and men in the field and the factory with sanitary facilities.

ISD said that women workers who work the night shifts face number of problems including sexual harassment and therefore recommends; to appoint female superintendent in every working section of the factory and provide rest rooms within the factory premises.

Appointment of female kanganies and supervisors, mandatory Sunday holiday, ensure the payment of the wages to respective individual worker (without paying to the spouse or other family members), issue of wage details in advance, pay overtime payments for the extra hours worked, ambulance service for pregnant mothers and sick workers, one hour leave for feeding mothers and training of first aid team, are also recommended by ISD.

For tea plantation workers ISD proposes to introduce digital weighing system to measure the leaves plucked by the workers, provide light back pack basket and the issue of cotton gloves to pluckers. Considering present cost of living ISD also proposes to increase the basic daily wage of the estate workers to Rs. 500.