Plantation workers who are fighting for their rights are now in danger of losing their estate houses as well.
Workers of Ramboda RP Division say they have not been paid their EPF and ETF dues since 2007, and that most of their families have now been told to leave their houses.
A total of 150 families live in seven lines of houses there and 48 of their members work as labourers in the estate.
As many as 39 of them have been ordered by the management to leave, after they stayed away from work since May 16 without notice in a show of protest over non-payments.
The incident comes as a sectoral oversight committee on labour affairs has instructed employers to safeguard the rights of workers, including the timely contribution of their of their superannuation payments.
On more than 10 occasions, the workers have protested to demand their dues. Since their last agitation, they are on strike.
On July 05, the management told them in writing that failure to report for work within a week will result in them being considered as having vacated their jobs.
Since new recruits need housing, it said, the workers should return their houses within 15 days, or else face legal action.
The letter has been copied to CWC secretary Jeevan Thondaman and the assistant labour commissioner in the district.
As per provisions in the estate housing (special provisions) act no. 2 of 1971, a worker cannot be evicted from an estate house without a court order.
The labour affairs sectoral oversight committee chaired by Hector Appuhamy met in June 22.
It was told that Rs. 700 million of EPF and ETF payments made by estate companies cannot be included in accounts due to a number of disparities.
