Wage talks deadlocked, tus to intensify stir
The PLC meetings had failed to reach a consensus
Thiruvananthapuram: The plantation labour committee meeting on Wednesday failed to reach an agreement on the wage issue even as trade unions decided to intensify their ongoing agitation in the plantation sector.
The government offer to set up a commission to look into the workers issues and interim relief was rejected by the trade unions. Labour minister Shibu Baby John said the matter would be discussed with chief minister and a decision would be taken subsequently.
The government has decided to convene another meeting on Friday. Power Minister Aryadan Mohammad who led the discussions at the PLC said the government was not keen to send the matter for adjudication as it would delay the wage issue indefinitely. “Adjudication is not a practical solution. Even the 2006 adjudication on minimum wages had been stayed,” he added. The PLC meetings had failed to reach a consensus as the trade unions have stuck to their demand for hike of Rs 500 while the plantation owners expressed their inability to pay the amount.