§ 4. Mr. THURTLEasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that manual workers in India are compelled, in many cases, to wait as much as six weeks for the payment of wages due to them; and whether it is intended to introduce legislation to make the payment of weekly wages compulsory?
§ Earl WINTERTONIn the case of some skilled workers who are paid by the month, wages are paid a fortnight in arrear and in such a case an initial period of six weeks elapses after the commencement of a worker's employment before his first wages are paid. The 1463 answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.
§ Mr. W. THORNEWould the Noble Lord say whether, in the meantime, before they get their pay, they have to go to some of the shops and obtain commodities, for which they have to pay an extra price?
§ Earl WINTERTONI think that the same circumstances occur in certain industries in this country. [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] Well, I can assure the hon. Gentleman that, as has been made plain by answers I have given to other questions, the Government of India and the local Governments are giving the matter very close attention, to see what steps are necessary, by legislation or in other ways, to deal with the matter.
§ Sir BERTRAM FALLEIs my Noble Friend aware that the same practice obtains in His Majesty's dockyards, the period being a fortnight?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONIs the Noble Lord not aware that a simple instruction compelling owners to pay wages weekly would obviate the necessity for people to borrow money from moneylenders at 300 per cent.?
§ Earl WINTERTONWe cannot give a simple instruction to employers. We would have to pass legislation, and in order that legislation may be passed a number of authorities in India would have to be consulted. The Government of India are giving close attention to the matter to see what remedies are necessary.