The people who are residing in the Tea Plantations are the origins of Indians who were expatriated by the British people about 150 years ago. Then they were got coconuts and Maldives fish as their daily pay. Still these workers are known as the cheated people for coconuts and Maldives fish and still been deceived
Currently the Plantations workers’ day’s wage is Rs121/. The monthly net pay approximately will be between Rs.2000/= and 2500/= after the EPF, ETF etc. deductions. With this emolument it is uncertain to have three meals a day. Also unable spend on their children’s educations.
From the time of expatriation, to nurture the tea bushes these people were highly toiled but still residing in the line rooms. Even they have no land to bury their dead bodies. They are slave to the tea bush whilst alive and become manure to them ultimately.
Though Tea has become the main cash crop in Sri Lanka, it is the truth that the patrons’ life standard is in the place. Today, both the parents have to work to meet their daily living as such, though the Plantation workers if both parents work even they could not live a standard life.
The women in the Plantation sector are doing the Tea Plucking and the men employed as the
Sundry worker. The Pluckers may get 25days work whereas the men except some workers get10 to 15 days only. So, at the end of the month the women may get paid more than the men where the men get frustrated at this stage. As the woman’s earning meets the most expenses at home,
the family life staggered due to the spouse’s ill health and under estimation. Even, they could not fulfill the main need of food, clothing and shelter with this small earning. So it is impossible of desiring for schooling, health facilities, etc.
In the normal society, when the families get- to- gether, they plan for their futures, frankly speak to their children and decide for excursions. But, do you think that the Estate workers have a chance of enjoy the same pleasure? Just spare some time to think about their plights. If you have had a chance of meeting them, have you ever noticed the way the introduction they make towards you?
These plantation workers, among their poverty and plight, hopes that drugs may pave away their
sorrows. This is the only way they have acquired to be pleasure among everything. They totally forget about the danger behind this addiction. They could not overcome from the depression.
It has become the scars that the immense bitter sufferings they have undergone due to poverty.
They have faced many embarrassments due to the only reason that they are Estate workers and also minority who are not conversant with other languages. In so many instances they have dreamt for bright futures at least for their generation which proved futile .With all these frustrations they will become lunatic unless they addicted to drugs.
It is obvious that nowadays both parents sit together and consume liquor. At this juncture, the children weep considering their future. In another instance, the children too got used to get-to-gether with their parents and consume liquor. Definitely the above instance may make you feel surprise you. But, it is the fact which is a real incident where I would not like to mention their estate or their name. When compared an eight year old child at our homes, his standard of education, attitudes etc. But, the same of an estate worker’s child got addicted to liquor.
This truth is a bitter fact and heartbreaking situation. This child is unable to attend to his routines unless he consumes a bit of liquor. Without liquor he goes mad and throws and breaks things. With all this his parents are not least bothered to cure this child as they too addicted to drugs I have pointed only one child’s situation. But there are plenty of such children living in the Plantation sector.
Why these workers could not come out from this slavery and drug addictions? Aren’t they known that there is a beautiful world lying around and outside? All these dumbfounded and confusing situations are purely due to their poverty.
The reason these workers avoid entering cities and to face the city people are, as they think that their earnings are insufficient to meet it. They have estimated themselves very lowly as such they are unable to enjoy by making trips, meeting people etc.
Even, once in a way if it happens to go to a hospital, a Police Station, Courts or Kachcheri, they find it very difficult to do their work mainly due to the language problem, as they well versed in Tamil only. They are unable to express their disease to a doctor or give evidence at the Courts, and make a complaint at the Police Station. In some instances certain Superintendents on humanitarian ground helps them to overcome their problems. Some people bribe them in these instances and some does nothing at all.
|