HC Deb 24 July 1939 vol 350 cc1043-5W
Mr. Ammon

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies by what ordinance is labour on the Cameroons plantations and in the timber concessions of Nigeria governed and what are the chief points in the ordinance for the protection of native labour?

Mr. M. MacDonald

The Nigerian Labour Code applies both to the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria and to the Cameroons under British Mandate. Among the subjects covered by the Code are the formation and interpretation of contracts, minimum wages, the regulation and control of recruiting of native labour for foreign service, employment of women, children and young persons, apprenticeship contracts, breach of contract and disputes between employers and employed.

As this Ordinance is too long to summarise I am sending the hon. Member a copy for his information.

Mr. Ammon

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent has enlisted labour been used in Nigeria during the past 12 months; on what work has such labour been engaged; and what were the hours worked and wages paid?

Mr. M. MacDonald

According to the latest information available at the Colonial Office all labour in Nigeria is voluntary and no special recruiting is necessary. I am ascertaining from the Governor whether there has been any change in the position.

Mr. Ammon

asked the Secretary of State or the Colonies whether he will state the number of Europeans and natives, respectively, employed in the timber concessions in Nigeria; how is the native labour recruited; what are the rates of wages paid in money and in kind, respectively; when are the wages paid to the labourers; and whether it is the practice for the contractor to withhold wages over a period of months, and meanwhile to advance money for the purchase of food and other necessities?

Mr. M. MacDonald

I am requesting the Governor of Nigeria to supply the information asked for by the hon. Member in the first, third and fourth parts of the question, and I will communicate with him when I have received the Governor's reply.

With regard to the concluding part, the regulations made under the Nigerian Labour Code prescribe that wages payable under a contract of service, not being a contract to perform some specific work without reference to time or a contract under which wages are payable for piece work, shall be payable at a daily, weekly or monthly rate, and that, in the absence of any written agreement to the contrary, such payment shall be made not later than eight days after they become due at such intervals not being longer than one month as may be agreed between the employer and the servant. The second part of the question is dealt with in my reply to the hon. Member's Question No. 16, regarding the recruitment of native labour.

Mr. Ammon

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in what industries in Nigeria is Ordinance No. 17, of 1932, of the Labour Ordinances operated; and what were the minimum rates of wages fixed?

Mr. M. MacDonald

The Government of Nigeria have not so far found it necessary to exercise the powers for fixing minimum rates of wages conferred by the Labour Code in which Ordinance No. 17 of 1932 has been incorporated. A permanent Labour Board has been set up in Lagos which, though it only deals with the rates of pay of Government employés, has a marked effect on the minimum wage figure offered by outside employers, as Government is the largest employer of labour. Steps have also been taken to establish similar boards in every province. The question of fixing a minimum wage for certain classes of labour other than Government employés is, however, at present under consideration by the Government of Nigeria.

Mr. Ammon

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what trade unions have been formed as a result of the passing of the Trade Union Ordinance of 1938?

Mr. M. MacDonald

The Nigeria Trade Union Ordinance, 1938, was brought into effect on 1st April, 1939. Two organisations of railway workers and three of motor transport workers have applied for registration as trade unions. These applications are now under consideration.