§ 73. Mr. Awberyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that, although the daily paid rubber workers of Malaya recently received an increase of 12 per cent. as a result of arbitration, the monthly paid workers, whose claims have been pending for 12 months have received nothing; and if he will take steps to bring their claims before an arbitrator at an early date.
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WAGE RATES OF DAILY AND MONTHLY PAID WORKERS ON THE RUBBER PLANTATIONS IN MALAYA Occupation Daily Wages at present time (in Malayan dollars or cents) In 1948 DAILY PAID WORKERS: Dollars Dollars Tappers; Malaysians— Men 1.46–2.52 90 cents—1.30 Women 1.18–2.46 70 cents—1.05 Young Persons. 67 cents–1.62 — Indians— Men 1.46–2.63 90 cents—2.35 Women 1.18–2.63 70 cents—2.25 Young Persons. 67 cents–1.74 70 cents—75 cents Contract Workers— Men 7 cents—29 cents per lb. of rubber collected. 5 cents—24 cents per lb. of rubber collected. Payment by results. Women Young Persons. Weeders and Field Workers; Malaysians— Men 1.46–1.74 90 cents—1.45 Women 1.18–1.40 70 cents—1.20 Young Persons. 67 cents—1.62 55 cents—75 cents Indians— Men 1.46–1.74 90 cents—1.45 Women 1.18–1.40 55 cents—1.20 Young Persons 67 cents—1.74 45 cents—1.00 Contract Workers— Men Variously based task rates. Average earnings Men 72.39 a month, Women 54.99 a month. 2.0–35.0 per acre task. Payment by results. Women Young Persons. Factory Workers; Malaysians— Men 1.40–2.95 1.20–2.40 Women 1.15–1.70 65 cents—1.80 Chinese— Men 1.50–3.00 1.25–2.40 Women 1.15–2.50 65 cents—1.80 Indians— Men 1.50–3.50 1.20–2.90 Women 1.15–1.90 80 cents—2.25 By results— Men 1½ cents—5 cents per lb. of dry rubber 1½ to 3 cents per lb. of dry rubber. Women
Mr. DugdaleThe fixing of salary-scales for monthly paid employees is at present the subject of active negotiations between the workers' and employers' organisations. Under existing legislation in the Federation of Malaya the matter can be submitted to arbitration only with the consent of both parties and neither has, as yet, expressed such a desire.
§ 74. Mr. Awberyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the wage rates of the daily and monthly workers on the rubber plantations in Malaya in 1948 and at the present time; and the price of rubber on the same dates.
Mr. DugdaleFollowing is the reply:
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Occupation Daily Wages at present time (in Malayan dollars or cents) In 1948 MONTHLY PAID WORKERS: Conductors … 1948 rates still apply … … 60 dollars a month during probationer period. After completion of probation, which is decided by the management, 80 dollars a month proceeding by annual increments of 10 dollars a month up to 120 dollars a month. They are then graded Class A and receive 130 dollars a month with annual increments of 10 dollars up to 150 dollars, a month. Any scale after this is left to the management. Clerks … 1948 rates still apply … … During probationery period extending over two years, 60 dollars a month for the first year and 70 dollars a month for the second year. Then 80 dollars a month rising by annual increments of 10 dollars a month up to 150 dollars a month. They then enter Class A and receive 160 dollars a month rising by annual increments of 10 dollars a month up to a maximum of 200 dollars a month. Any scale after this is left to the management. Dressers (Unqualified) … 1948 rates still apply … … 60 dollars a month rising by annual increments of 10 dollars a month to 80 dollars a month. Dressers (Third Grade) … 1948 rates still apply … … 90 dollars a month rising by annual increments of 10 dollars a month to 110 dollars a month. Dressers (Second Grade) … 1948 rates still apply … … 130 dollars a month rising by annual increments of 10 dollars a month to 170 dollars a month. Dressers (First Grade) … 1948 rates still apply … … 180 dollars a month rising by annual increments of 10 dollars a month up to 250 dollars. Any scale after this is left of the management. In addition to the above salary scale monthly paid workers receive temporary allowances as follows: 30 per cent. of basic salary with a minimum of 30 dollars a month for a bachelor and 40 dollars a month for a married man and a maximum of 60 dollars a month for all. There are also contributory provident funds for employees and the Council of the Employers' Associations has strongly recommended that the scheme for the payment of bonuses or commission to them be introduced on all estates.
SPOT PRICES OF RUBBER (No. 1 R.S.S. f.o.b. Singapore) Average for the year 1948 … … … 42.16 Straits cents per lb. Average in recent months— January, 1950 … … … 50.00 Straits cents per lb. February, 1950 … … … 52.86 Straits cents per lb. March, 1950 … … … 53.83 Straits cents per lb. April, 1950 … … … 66.00 Straits cents per lb.