Tamil youth living in plantations of Sri Lanka are increasingly moving out of the estate sector. The youth belong to the ethnic group called Indian Tamils or Tamils of recent Indian origin.

The estate sector consists of state-owned plantations which comprise over 1,70,000 hectares, most of which is devoted to tea and rubber cultivation. The plantations were originally set up by British colonists in the central parts of Sri Lanka. Between the middle of 19 century and the early 20 century, mostly people from Tamil Nadu were brought in to work in the estate sector.

World Bank study

A recent study of the World Bank stated that in the plantations during the period between 2003 and 2012, the number of youth of 15 years to 24 years declined. This was more so in the case of the group of 15 years to 19 years.

The average annual rate of change or growth was of the order of about minus four per cent for the age group of 15-19 years and around minus one per cent for the group of 20-24 years.

Another indicator was that not even 50 per cent of the youth of the age group of 15 years to 20 years pursued formal education. The figure was 49 per cent as against the country’s overall 66 per cent.

More senior citizens in plantations

In contrast to the falling number of the youth in the plantations, the share of senior citizens – those aged 60 years and above – went up by eight per cent annually on an average.

S. Chandrasekaran, former professor of education and himself a member of the ethnic group, says it is well known that the present-day youth regard working in the plantations as inferior to their social status and they prefer to take up any work in urban areas.

Job scarcity outside the estate

The World Bank also brought out difficulties being faced by the educated youth from the plantations in getting salaried employment outside the estate sector.

Even though opportunities for them are expanding in the sector of services such as retail stores and communication centres, the scope in professional, salaried occupations is not “easily available.” Quoting a research work, the Bank’s document pointed out that the “estate youth” have to compete with better educated peers who are preferred by employers.

Stigma, discrimination

They are also facing “stigmatisation and discrimination due to their Indian Tamil ethnicity and estate worker identity, both of which constitute a barrier in accessing non-estate job opportunities.” Consequently, the youth accept lower level job openings -- domestic workers, shop assistants or construction workers -- and relatively a few are able to secure jobs as semi-skilled workers, such as drivers or mechanics, the report added.

(The Hindu)