§ 25 and 26. Mr. R. Edwardsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether he is aware of a dispute in the sugar cane industry in the Big Bend area of Swaziland that has led to a strike involving 2,500 sugar can workers; and what steps are being taken to establish machinery to assist towards the settlement of the dispute;
§ (2) what were the reasons for the arrest of thirty-three workers employed at the sugar cane plantation in the Big Bend area in Swaziland.
§ Mr. FisherThe strike of sugar workers in Swaziland began on 18th March. The main demands were increased wages and the reinstatement of thirty men who had not been re-engaged following an earlier strike.
The strike ended on 27th March following the announcement that the Swaziland Government would appoint a Commission of Inquiry to inquire into its causes. The Commission began its hearings on 1st April and is likely to complete its work in about three weeks' time.
Thirty-three workers arrested on the second day of the strike were charged with intimidation and assault. The Swaziland police later dropped the charges 879 against the majority of those arrested. The remainder were released and are awaiting trial.
§ Mr. EdwardsI thank the hon. Gentleman for that very satisfactory Answer, but is he aware that the Swaziland workers are the poorest-paid sugar workers in the world today, their average weekly earnings being only 18s.? Will be, therefore, ensure that this inquiry is expedited and that the trade union is registered so that negotiations can be conducted after the report of the Commission of Inquiry?
§ Mr. FisherI am grateful to the hon. Gentleman. I did not know the wage rates, which do sound very low indeed. A comprehensive Employment Proclamation relating to contracts of service was made six months ago, and I shall look into that in the light of what has been said. Also, only yesterday, there became law an Industrial Conciliation and Settlement Proclamation which will deal with trade disputes in the territory.