connectivity with these institutions is difficult through the telephone numbers indicated in their advertisements. People are unable to communicate through e-mail due to their lack of knowledge in the mechanism. Therefore, a simple system capable of reaching the village has to be introduced. When a rural woman approaches the bank to obtain a loan, this becomes impossible due to the fact that the title deed of the land is in the name of her husband. Loans granted by the Samurdhi Bank are normally given on political influence. In some cases, husbands have obtained the loan of Rs. 50,000.00 from Samurdhi banks in their wives’ name without her knowledge. These loans are not duly used by the husbands with proper management. 2. Ms. Ananthi Devendra Kumari (representing estate sector and house maids) Ms.Ananthi Devendra Kumari was the next to make submissions at the Round Table Discussion. She has worked as an estate employee as well as a house-maid and is a Trade Union leader too. She is of the opinion that estate workers are not in receipt of adequate facilities and decent salaries even though they contribute heavily towards economy of the country. This pittance is not sufficient for them to maintain their families. She stated that these people undergo untold hardships in obtaining aids and benefits granted by the government. Most of the estate workers, especially the female workers have not gone out of their estates and find it extremely difficult reach government offices located in Colombo. These workers are compelled to stage demonstrations or go on strikes to win salary increases. They have no opportunities to air their views or make submissions on their problems and state provisions do not seem to be available to improve the living conditions of these estate workers. Large number of estate women are employed as house-maids, but no proper legal system is in place to ensure their safety. Most of tea pluckers are deployed on other errands during tea plucking sessions and they are deprived of their exact daily pay since they fail to pluck the targeted quantity of tea leaves. Following proposals were discussed at the meeting;         Necessity of a system with regard to the initial salary in estate sector. Implementation of all relevant rules and regulations regarding estate workers. Necessary changes in rules and regulations of the Labour Department. Officials should understand the plight of the estate workers and be sensitive. Employees’ Trade Unions should keep away from politics. Women have no opportunity to participate at Janatha Consultative Committees. Law maker should concentrate not only on Colombo, but rural areas as well. Compilation of new laws for estate sector. 7 7