Bringing a boost to the state’s plantation sector, the Plantation Labor Committee has decided to increase the daily wages of workers by ₹48. The decision, which applies to workers in the rubber, tea, coffee and cardamom sectors, was finalized during a high-level meeting of union leaders and employers’ representatives chaired by Labor Minister V. Sivankutty.
The revised wage structure is due to come into effect on April 1 and employers will be asked to give an immediate increase. Additionally, the workers will receive a one-time payment of ₹1,000 as interim relief. It has been clarified that ₹500 of this amount will be treated as grant and will not be recovered by the management. The fight to raise wages in Kerala’s plantation sector has been persistent, fueled by the growing disparity between stagnant income levels and the soaring cost of living, according to union representatives.
Minister V. Sivankutty said the government’s primary policy is to protect and support the workforce, especially in tough times. He added that the intervention comes at a crucial time when the plantation industry is grappling with the global crisis and a sharp fall in the prices of plantation crops. “Despite these economic obstacles, the government has prioritized the welfare of workers to ensure that their livelihoods remain sustainable,” the minister said.
The Kerala Plantation Labor Federation (CITU) appreciated both the state government and the plantation management for their willingness to implement the wage hike. “To celebrate this hike and the government’s pro-worker stance, victory marches and celebratory meetings will be held in all plantations in the state on March 9 and 10,” said Federation State President S. Jayamohan and General Secretary KK Jayachandran.
Published – 8 March 2026 20:19 IST
