A hearing was scheduled by the Court of Appeal for yesterday, the 26th. Plantation companies filed a petition seeking the invalidation of a gazette notice issued by Labour Minister Manusha Nanayakkara, which set a minimum daily wage for plantation workers.
“Petition opposing plantation workers’ minimum daily wage scheduled for hearing on November 8.”
President Ranil Wickremesinghe made the announcement on May Day during a rally at Thalawakale.
The petition was brought before Justice Sobhitha Rajakaruna for consideration, and it was filed by 21 plantation companies. The case is scheduled to be heard on November 8.
The petitioners have named 52 people as respondents in the case, including Minister Nanayakkara and the Labour Commissioner. They have pointed out that the Labour Minister issued a gazette notification setting the minimum daily wage of a plantation worker at Rs. 1,350, along with an allowance of Rs. 300 and another allowance of Rs. 80, as minimum wage. The petitioners have argued that the decision made by the Minister of Labour, without consulting them, violates the legal principle of natural justice. To that end, they have requested an order nullifying the decision, alleging that the government acted arbitrarily
