Date:22/01/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/01/22/stories/2005012201041502.htm

Back Kerala plantation workers plan rally

Our Bureau

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Plantation labourers in the State owing allegiance to the Kerala Plantation Labour Federation has decided to take out a Secretariat march here on January 28.

A spokesman of the federation said here that the march was being held to press a list of long-pending demands. This included (i) enhanced wages and dearness allowance in the rubber, tea, coffee and cardamom sectors; (ii) scrapping of the Government order sparing five per cent of the estates for other use; (iii) implementation of the agreements on plantations endorsed by the Chief Minister and Labour Minister; (iv) welfare fund for workers in the smaller estates; (v) withdrawal of the VRS programme; (vi) payout of a subsistence allowance in closed estates as practised in West Bengal; (vii) assured employment on six days of every week; (viii) removal of penal procedures and (ix) regularisation of all temporary appointments.