Following a wage dispute between the manager and workers of the Etonside estate, which belongs to the Kotagala Plantation Company, one worker has begun a hunger strike at the estate itself since yesterday (26) in protest against his suspension.
The incident stems from a heated exchange of words between the estate manager and the workers on the 25th, when they met to discuss a problem that arose during the calculation of daily wages and the amount of tea leaves plucked by the workers.
After this incident, the estate administration took steps to suspend 43-year-old worker Jedeva Prakashan, who resides at the Etonside estate.
In response to what he considers an injustice, Jedeva Prakashan has been on a hunger strike since yesterday, and other estate workers are joining in today by going on strike to show solidarity and protest.
The workers state that the miscalculation of plucked leaves must be corrected, and harassment of employees must immediately stop.
Attempts were made to contact the estate management for clarification regarding this issue, but the estate office staff said the manager was not present at the estate at the time and that no official statement could be provided.
