“The Alton Plantation Workers Action Committee strongly condemns this assault, and we consider the attack against SEP members, who are in the forefront of the struggle for workers’ rights, as an attack on the basic democratic rights of all workers.”
“The unions are no use for workers because they are carrying out management requirements, not ours. We can’t depend on the unions to fight against privatization.” National Water Supply and Drainage Board worker.
Company and police harassment continues against Alton Estate workers in Sri Lanka
On July 14, a Hatton magistrate postponed a planned court hearing against Alton Estate workers until October 27. The trial was originally scheduled to begin on May 28 but had been delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The case against the 24 Alton Estate workers and two youths is a frame-up by the company and the police, assisted by the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC). The company and police falsely claim that the workers physically attacked the estate’s manager and assistant manager. The victims have categorically rejected the allegations.
Alton Estate is located near Maskeliya in central Sri Lanka and is part of Horana Plantations, which is controlled by Hayleys, one of the country’s biggest companies.
Sri Lankan police move to establish permanent base at Alton Estate wsws.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from wsws.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Alton Estate workers in Sri Lanka confront harsh and worsening social conditions
The ongoing company witch hunt against Alton Estate workers near Maskeliya began early this year in response to workers’ determination to win better wages and improved living conditions. The Alton workers, who walked out on February 2, participated in a one-day national plantation workers’ strike three days later and continued their industrial action until March 22 in protest against estate management harassment.
Twenty-four workers and two youth were then framed up by the company and the police, aided and abetted by the Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC), on false accusations of physically assaulting the estate’s managers. These workers now face a criminal court trial. The Horana Plantation Company, which runs Alton Estate, has sacked a total of 38 workers, including those to be tried, without conducting any investigation or allowing any right of appeal against its dictates.