§ 40. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies approximately how many women are wage-earners in Jamaica, and in what main occupations; what is the normal wage for domestic servants and Government office-cleaners or assistants, and the hours they work; and whether consideration is being given to the need of providing non-manual employment for women at fair rates of pay and under reasonable conditions.
§ Colonel StanleyAs the reply necessarily contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. SorensenIs anything being done to provide non-manual employment for the women in Jamaica?
§ Colonel StanleyYes, something is being done. The hon. Member will see it set out in the answer.
§ Following is the reply:
§ According to the census returns in January, 1943, there were 182,293 female wage-earners in Jamaica, of whom 62,792 were domestic servants, 31,485 farm-workers, and 12,461 general labourers. The remainder consisted of clerks, teachers, nurses, seamstresses, and other personal service workers. The normal wages for domestic servants range from 4s. weekly, with board, in working class homes, to 16s. weekly, with rooms, among the wealthier classes. The average hours of employment are 72 a week. Part-time Government office-cleaners and assistants receive maximum basic pay of 14s. a week; full-time employees working 48 hours a week receive basic pay of 14s. a week, rising by annual increments of 2s., to 18s. a week. A war bonus of 33⅓ per cent. is payable on the basic rates. The answer to the last part of the Question is in the affirmative. An extensive development of medical and 161 educational services is contemplated, involving a considerable expansion of training facilities. Some training is undertaken by Government and by private interests with the object of fitting women for industrial activities.