Trade Unions in Plantations in SL

In the early years of plantations, the concept of a trade union was a dream which the labours didn't even have the imagination power of having. There were much more pressing concerns like surviving the day without getting killed by extreme weather or hunger or so many other challenging factors. In the Colonial age, the Estate Superintendent held ultimate decision-making power. His decision was the rule. Police were established to serve the needs of the plantations. This was the case in all the areas of the country regardless of the ethnicity everyone was under the boot of the Englishmen. Laws were made by them and enforced by them. This resulted in so many rebellions against the British Government. In the plantations labours had no rights they were brought here to work and that was the only purpose expected out of them. Hense they learn to accept this fact and adjust their living conditions accordingly. After the Independence in 1948 Government took over these plantations. Some Estate owners and Planters decided to stay in their respective properties and continued their work.

Though Sri Lanka had its Independence the situation in the plantations were the same since the labours didn't have the citizenship or the right to vote. This was changed after the struggle of Mr Thondaman. Acquiring their citizenship and right to vote changed so much in plantations. For better or for the worse is to be decided by you.

Since the plantation workforce mainly consists of people who have minimum educational qualifications or no education at all it is very difficult to communicate new ideas or make changes in the workplace. Due to many reasons, the labours are reluctant to comply with new managements. It takes a considerable amount of time to built up trust between labours and management once new managers come into the plantations. Individual Plantations have trade union representatives/leaders called "Thaleva"(leader in Tamil). These people also work in plantations but they have the trust of some of their fellow workers. At the early ages of Trade Unions in Plantations, there were no many trade unions. Only CWC the union under Mr Thondaman was in effect. But this was not similar to the UK's single Union system.

Constructive use of trade unions in Plantations

With time other political leaders emerged within the plantations and they all wanted their own opinions to be heard. The workers paid their membership fees to these trade unions to represent them and make decisions on their behalf. As I mentioned earlier with an uneducated workforce typical HR practices are ineffective for obvious reasons. They are driven by single ideologies so the trade unions play a vital role in communicating ideas to the labours. When the political parties came into the fold their party ideologies and rivalries also came into the plantations as well. These rivalries made the management of plantations very difficult especially when there is a large workforce and different trade union representatives(Thaleva) in a single plantation. Management had to satisfy everybody's demands. Gradually this became a serious problem especially when these leaders started to come and ask for personal favours. When these demands were not met they tend to create unnecessary problems and start 'wild cat' strikes. These leaders are also having the same type of education and mindset, are not so different from the other labours. In my view, this phenomena is the biggest downfall of the plantation trade unions. The female labours are the ones who are most affected by these actions. They work tirelessly to earn their day's wage and leaders bring them down to the roads to do strikes against management for most of the time silly reasons.

Even though when organised by the trade unions these workers have won so many of their rights through trade union actions. Trade Unions play a vital role in managing plantations. Many of their Leaders understand the importance of the industry's survival. At present, the plantation industry is facing the biggest challenges it has ever faced. To get through this difficult time the support of the trade unions is vital. Rather than going against management, working with the management to find solutions should be the role of the trade unions. The UK 's approach is very much applicable in times like these. But Plantation labour force is a unique entity which had to be dealt with precision decision making. Their lifestyles are uplifted since the beginning of the colonies. But to further sustain and develop this industry trade union should improve Employer relations drastically. And the management must change into modern management practices. Leaders are required in Plantations.

Now more than ever!