Need for worker unity stressed by CWC

by P. Krishnaswamy

The Ceylon Workers' Congress (CWC) May Day rally held at Talawakelle Main Bus Terminal was joined by large number of plantation workers, their estate level leaders, women's front leaders and local political leaders, according to reports.

Participants who came from all plantation areas assembled at the Talawakelle main junction and the procession set out at 11 a.m. towards the Main Bus Terminal where the rally was addressed by party leader Arumugan Thondaman, CWC President and Deputy Minister Muthu Sivalingam, newly elected parliamentarians V. Radhakrishnan, P. Rajadurai and CWC Provincial Council members.

Floats displaying large-size images of tea pluckers and male workers were main features of the procession that was led by CWC leader Thondaman, his family members including his spouse and mother Mrs. Ramanathan and other forefront party leaders, according to the reports.

Arumugan Thondaman, Muthu Sivalingam and others who addressed the rally mainly focused on the commitment of the UPFA Government, led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, towards the welfare of the plantation community, the development works that have already been performed in the last six years and the need for unity among the workers for consolidating their strength for collective bargaining. A musical show was also held after the rally that ended at 2 p.m., the reports said.