EWHCS empower plantation community

Plantation workers and residents have been significantly empowered by the setting up of Estate Worker Housing Cooperative Societies (EWHCS) which provide loans and access to many goods and services within the estates, and create job opportunities.

The Societies were first set up in 1993, by the Plantation Human Development Trust (PHDT) (a tripartite organisation consisting of Regional Plantation Companies, the government and estate sector trade unions) with the Department of Cooperative Development, to disburse funds to construct houses for estate residents.

The Societies have been set up at all estates managed by Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs).

The 418 Societies functioning in the sector (which include units at RPC and State-managed estates) have disbursed nearly 79,000 loans in 2014 to estate workers and residents who are members of the societies.

Nearly 80 percent of the loans have been provided for houses, while loans have also been granted for agriculture, emergencies, festivals and for income- generating activities.

Today, the Societies generate its own funds, with the value of savings in the plantations multiplying by nearly 53 times between 2002 and 2010.

In 2010, it had a membership of over 240,000 - a growth of 145% compared to the 98,000 who were members at the inception in 1993. EWHCS today has its own bank, the Vathusevaka Nivasa Samupakara Samithiya (Vanisa) Bank - which provides agricultural and small business loans and other interest-free loans to members.

It has emerged as a leading community-based organisation in the country and many units in Regional Plantation Company estates which receive strong support from the management, have improved their rankings in recent years based on criteria determined by the PHDT and monitored by the PHDT's Regional Offices.

Of the 418 Societies, 279, or approximately 67 percent are ranked A+ (the highest ranking), A and B, reflecting the benefits from the strong support given to the societies by the RPCs in terms of capacity building and mobilisation of resources.

In addition to providing loans, the Societies also operate retail and welfare shops, barber salons and communication centres within estates, thus creating employment opportunities and also providing convenient access to many services to estate residents.

The PHDT has also entered into partnerships with multinationals and other leading private sector organisations to provide estate residents easy access to products and services with the appointment of EWHCS as sub-dealers. These partnerships were formed to improve the quality of life, health, nutrition, sanitation and hygiene of estate residents.

Several projects of national significance have been carried out with the involvement of and facilitation by the Societies.

Following the identification of estate residents as among the highest wheat flour consumers in the country, a program was launched by the PHDT with the cooperation of the Societies to encourage estate residents to switch to rice flour (a healthier alternative and also in the nation's best economic interest), under a project of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Similarly, after firewood was found to be a health hazard among the plantation community due to inhalation of excessive smoke, pollution of the environment and fire risk, gas cylinders with cooker and accessories were introduced through the Societies on easy payment terms, as a cleaner and safer alternative for cooking.

The availability of gas cylinders at the Societies enables residents to purchase cylinders within the estate itself without incurring an additional cost in travelling to the city for refills. The Estate Management has also observed an increase in attendance of workers, thereby improving productivity, as the workers do not have to go in search of firewood without working.

The Societies have also been recently active in female empowerment with the setting up of women's groups to facilitate training on household cash management, livelihood development and childcare to create a happy family.

"The significant strengthening of the Estate Worker Housing Cooperative Societies over the years reflects how the estate community has been gradually empowered and fulfills many of its needs," Chairman, Planters' Association of Ceylon, Roshan Rajadurai said. The Association represents the Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs).

"The Regional Plantation Companies have always supported the Societies and will continue to do so. It is important that all stakeholders contribute to make the estate community self-sufficient." The estate manager serves as the ex-officio President of the estate's EWHCS and the committee (which comprises estate workers) providing guidance and direction.

The RPCs have assisted the initiatives of the cooperatives by allocating space within buildings in the estate for storage purposes, providing security for welfare shops and particularly in capacity building with regard to financial management, accounting and auditing.

Several measures are under way to further improve the operations of the Societies, including the computerisation of financial records for greater discipline and accountability.

With the assistance of various stakeholders including the RPCs and the PHDT, the Societies have gone beyond their initial mandate with regard to houses and now make a significant contribution to improve the quality of life of the estate community.

Some of the Societies have even been recognised for excellence at the Presidential Awards presented on the International Cooperative Day, competing with other co-operative societies in the country.

Annual evaluations are done to identify the best Societies based on diverse criteria including good governance and community development and are recognised at the AGM of the PHDT with the presentation of awards.

Last year the first place in the all-island contest for 'Excellence in Social Development through EWHCS' was won by the EWHCS of Haputale Estate of Agarapatana Plantations.

Members of the winning Societies are also presented with capacity-building opportunities including foreign study tours to neighbouring countries which have strong co-operative networks.