History of Ceylon Tea

The Wages Board’s decision to implement the government’s proposal to raise the estate labour wage from 1,000 to Rs1,700 has set a historic precedent. The tea industry in Sri Lanka has greatly benefited from its labour force, which is predominantly comprised of Tamils whose ancestors migrated from India during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Anti-government trade unionists made a valiant effort to block the initiative, driven by their frustration with rival trade unionists aligned with the government who were poised to take credit for the effort. This situation highlights a fundamental flaw in trade unionism and its leadership in Sri Lanka.

Groundbreaking Announcement on May day

At the May Day rally of the Ceylon Workers’ Congress held in Kotagala, President Ranil Wickremesinghe made a groundbreaking announcement, crediting his Minister, Manusha Nanayakkara, for a significant development. He revealed a substantial 70 percent increase in the daily wage for plantation workers, raising it to 1,700 rupees. This notable wage hike acknowledges the severe hardships these workers have endured and highlights their crucial role in the economy, especially in tea harvesting.

The early history of labour migration to Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, began with the arrival of the first group of “coolies” around 1817. These labourers were initially employed to construct the road from Colombo to Kandy, playing a crucial role in the development of the region’s infrastructure.

Between 1830 and 1880, subsequent waves of coolies were brought in to work on coffee plantations, significantly enhancing the island’s agricultural economy.

Arduous Journey

The journey of these coolies was both arduous and dangerous. Originating from the northern parts of Ceylon, they trekked through dense jungles, facing severe challenges such as hunger, inadequate clothing, and a lack of water. They were also exposed to the dangers posed by wildlife. Survival depended on their speed; those who could not keep up were abandoned, left to face the perils of the wilderness alone. This harsh strategy was intentionally employed by the colonial administration to filter out the strongest and most resilient individuals from the weaker ones.

The workers who immigrated to Ceylon during the colonial era left behind a life of severe hardship in India. Faced with large-scale recurring famines, discrimination due to low-caste status, and constant poverty, they sought better opportunities elsewhere. Ceylon’s plantations seemed to offer a chance for survival and the promise of improved living conditions.

However, upon arrival, the reality was far from what was promised. Workers were housed in cramped quarters, with entire families often living in rooms no larger than 12×10 feet. Some of these rooms had small porches, but overall, the living conditions were dire. There was a severe lack of sanitation, clean water, medical facilities, and educational opportunities. Even today, tea leaves in Sri Lanka are plucked by hand, a time-consuming and labour-intensive task to ensure only the tender leaves are selected. The migrant workers, who became known as Indian Tamils, Estate Tamils, Up-country (Malaiyaha) Tamils, or Plantation Tamils, played a crucial role in this process.

Miserable Life

The work on the plantations was grueling. Long hours, strict quotas, and harsh overseers made the job incredibly demanding. Despite the hope for a better life, the emigrants found themselves enduring a new set of challenges in Ceylon.

The legacy of Ceylon tea, celebrated globally, reflects the remarkable contributions of plantation workers who endured severe conditions. However, beneath this success lies a darker story of exploitation and hardship. Indian Tamil workers and their descendants, whose labour has been fundamental to Sri Lanka’s tea industry for over two centuries, have faced significant struggles. Their tough labour conditions and denial of basic rights have frequently been overlooked, perpetuating their marginalisation despite their essential role in the industry.

The life has remained challenging for these workers across generations, often worsened by government policies. When Sri Lanka gained Independence in 1948, Tamil plantation workers were classified as “temporary immigrants” and denied citizenship. The following year, they lost the right to vote in elections. In the 1960s, an agreement between the Sri Lankan and Indian governments led to the forced repatriation of hundreds of thousands of workers back to India, despite most having lived their entire lives in Sri Lanka. For over two centuries, these workers have been the backbone of Sri Lanka’s tea industry.

Almost 200 years have passed since the first migrant workers made the hill country their home. But is it truly a home? The ‘line’ system in estate housing, established in the late 19th century, remains largely unchanged. This system consists of rows of small houses, each more akin to a single room, sharing a common roof. Initially intended as temporary shelters, these accommodations have seen little improvement over the years, as estate management has not prioritised the workers’ living conditions.

A family is allocated one of these ‘houses’, forcing them to live in uncomfortably close quarters, which severely distorts family dynamics. When a child marries, has children, and returns to live in their parents’ house, a common occurrence, the situation becomes even more strained. The misdirected resentment towards fellow labourers underscores the insidious tactics employed by colonial powers to maintain control and maximize profit. By pitting marginalised communities against each other, colonial authorities diverted attention from their own exploitation and negligence, effectively scapegoating plantation workers for the injustices inflicted upon them.

Alcohol Menace & TU’s Responsibility

The consumption of alcohol by men, initially used to combat the cold mountain temperatures and unwind after a hard day’s work, has led to a rise in violence against women and children. This habit has also spread among women. The communities often consume improperly manufactured illicit alcohol, resulting in frequent illnesses. This issue severely worsens their lifestyles. Addressing this problem should be the foremost duty of the so-called messiahs or trade unionists, who often exploit the labourers while seeking greener pastures in urban political havens.

Trade unionism, in its current form, often seems more focused on internal power struggles and political maneuvering than on genuine advocacy for workers’ rights. Leaders, both pro-government and anti-government, frequently appear more interested in securing personal or political gains rather than addressing the real needs of their constituents.

The rivalry between these factions can sometimes overshadow their primary mission, which should be improving the conditions and well-being of the workers they represent. Instead of working together to tackle common issues, trade union leaders often engage in petty squabbles, undermining each other to gain favor with political entities or to secure accolades. This pursuit of self-interest at the expense of effective advocacy only perpetuates the struggles of the very people they claim to support.