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Productivity of the Plantation Sector-By Dr.C.S. Weeraratna Source:Island csweera@sltnet.lk According to J. A. A. S. Ranasinghe, Productivity Specialist and Management Consultant, in his article titled ” Wage increase makes mockery of collective bargaining” in The Island of 9 March, Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) would continue to incur heavy losses if the proposed daily minimum wage of Rs. 1,000/= is paid across the board. The plantation sector, which includes mainly tea, rubber, and coconut, plays a very important role in the economy of the country. The extent under plantation crops is around 870 ,000 ha. Nearly 30% of the labour force is involved in this sector, which earns about 20% of export earnings. . Since the implementation of the Land Reform Law in 1972, the large estates of tea, rubber and coconut were nationalized and their management was given over to the State Plantations Corporation (SPC) and the Janatha Estates Development Board ...