HC Deb 15 February 1939 vol 343 cc1750-1W
Sir A. Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state in terms of sterling the average weekly wages, inclusive of food allowance, at the last convenient date for which figures are available, earned by unskilled adult male labourers engaged in the cultivation of sugar, in Jamaica, Mauritius and Trinidad, as compared with the corresponding figures for Belgian Congo, Java, Madagascar and Mozambique?

Mr. M. MacDonald

It is difficult to give accurate statements of weekly wages in the sugar industry in the territories mentioned, since payment is more often by the day, or by the task; the number of tasks or days' work done in a week depends principally on the inclination of the individual, and is seldom the maximum.

The table set out below is constructed on the assumption that a six-day week is worked in every case, and therefore probably overstates actual weekly wages.

  • Jamaica: 9s. to 24s. per week including the value of perquisites other than accommodation which is provided free on some estates.
  • Mauritius: 7s. 7d. to 9s. 9½. per week including the value of perquisites.
  • Trinidad: 6s. 3d. to 25s. per week plus free housing, medical attention, fuel, etc., for regular workers.
  • Belgian Congo: 1s. 1d. to 1s. 3d. per week plus free quarters, medical attention, and a weekly ration valued at from 1s. 2¾d. upwards according to the size of a worker's family.
  • Java: 3s. 3d. per week.
  • Madagascar: 3s. 4½d. per week.
  • Mozambique: The legal minimum wage is 1s. 1½ d. per week plus free quarters, food and blankets.

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