evidence: On assuming my position, we decided to go to the Wages Board and follow this country’s labour laws. However, we also acknowledge that these labour laws are outdated, and we are actively advocating for labour law reforms. When we approached the Wages Board, the companies had received the board’s decision to gazette the wage of Rs 1,000 per day, that is, Rs 900 as a basic wage and Rs 100 as a budgetary allowance. Many RPCs attempted to find loopholes to avoid paying the stipulated amount. With the EPF and ETF benefits to estate workers, they said it’s not possible. Interestingly, these companies don’t seem to have any issues with converting estate managers’ bungalows into tourism projects. They also don’t hesitate to increase the salaries of CEOs and MDs, who are among the highest paid in the country, particularly in the case of estate management under Hayleys’ ownership. We are perplexed as to why they are unwilling to increase the wages of the workers. [...] A: The Opposition Leader is constantly talking about making estate workers tea smallholders. I refuse to play with the lives of the workers and propagate false narratives. The concept of tea smallholders is similar to the Rs 1,000 wage story. They made promises and gained votes, but it was our Party that managed to actually implement the Rs 1,000 wage.