§ Mr. KELLYasked the Under-Secretary of State for India what is the statutory limit to the hours of employment of Indian labourers in Malaya; the minimum rates of wages for male, female, and child labourers; and whether these minimum rates are exclusive of necessary medical attention or are subject to deductions on account of any obligatory charges?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe Labour Laws in force in Malaya fix the hours of employment of Indian labourers at nine a day, of which not more than six should be worked continuously. Standard daily rates of wages of 50 cents for adult males and 40 cents for adult females in the Province Wellesley, and of 58 cents for adult males and 46 cents for adult females in the inland districts of Pahang, were introduced in 1927. These rates have been accepted by the Government of India, who have urged the Malayan Governments to take steps as soon as possible for the adoption of standard rates for the rest of Malaya. As regards child labourers, an amendment of the Labour Code, recently passed, provides for the fixation of standard rates of wages for children of 10 years of age and over. With regard to the last part of the question, employers are prohibited by law from making any deductions from wages other than for rice or other foodstuffs advanced to labourers or small cash advances paid in anticipation of wages for the purchase of provisions. This information, which is the latest available, is taken from a report for the year 1927.
§ Mr. KELLYasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether it is the 2082W intention of the Government of India to postpone further the operation of the emigration enforcing a definite sex ratio among the Indians recruited for labour on the Malayan plantations; and whether he will inform the House of the subject of the discussions between the controller of labour in Malaya and the Government of India during the former's recent visit to Delhi?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe Government of India have decided to extend, subject to certain reservations, the exemption of Indian emigration to Malaya from the restriction on the emigration of single men, laid down in Rule 23 of tie Indian Emigration Rules, until June, 1930. As regards the second part of the question, the controller of labour in Malaya recently visited India for the purpose of discussing this matter and other questions affecting Indian emigration to Malaya with representatives of the Government of India. My Noble Friend has not received a detailed Report on these discussions.