§ Colonel Lyonsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will publish a schedule showing the minimum wages paid for labour, men, women and children, respectively, employed on tea and rubber plantations in Ceylon during each of the years 1940 to 1944, inclusive.
§ Colonel StanleyThe minimum wage rates for Indian immigrant labour on tea and rubber plantations in Ceylon are regulated by Wages Boards established under Ordinance 27 of 1941. A schedule showing the 'basic minimum wages in force from 1940–43 inclusive is set out below. I regret that the figures beyond September, 1944, are not yet available.
1940 Men. Women. Children. Ceylon cents. Ceylon cents. Ceylon cents. Up-country 49 39 29 Mid-country 47 37 28 Low-country 45 36 27 1941. January. Up-country 49 39 29 Mid-country 47 37 28 Low-country 45 36 27
February. In February, 1941, the above rates were increased as follows: Up-country 54 43 32 Mid-country 52 41 31 Low-country 50 40 30 1942. Up-country 57 46 35 Mid-country 55 44 34 Low-country 53 43 33 1943. Up-country 57 46 35 Mid-country 55 44 34 Low-country 53 43 33 1944. The above rates were in force to September, 1944. Note.—Only the minimum wages are prescribed by law, and individuals can earn wages higher than the minimum.
2001WIn addition to the minimum wages mentioned above, a Dearness Allowance which varies with the cost of living index number is also payable. This allowance is reviewed monthly. The figures for 1943 were as follows:
Dearness Allowance in cents per day. Month. Index Number. Man. Woman. Child. January … Not published 30 30 18 February … 190 37 37 23 March … 194 38 38 23 April … 206 Up-country … 43 34 34 Mid-country … 41 33 33 Low-country … 40 32 32 May … 190 Up-country … 36 29 29 Mid-country … 35 28 28 Low-country … 34 27 27 June … 193 Up-country … 38 30 30 Mid-country … 36 29 29 Low-country … 35 28 28 July … 196 Up-country … 39 31 31 Mid-country … 37 30 30 Low-country … 36 29 29 August … 203 Up-country … 42 33 33 Mid-country … 40 32 32 Low-country … 39 31 31 September … 199 Up-country … 40 32 32 Mid-country … 39 31 31 Low-country … 37 30 30 October … 199 Up-country … 40 32 32 Mid-country … 39 31 31 Low-country … 37 30 30 November … 201 Up-country … 41 33 33 Mid-country … 39 32 32 Low-country … 38 30 30 December … 203 Up-country … 42 33 33 Mid-country … 40 32 32 Low-country … 39 31 31 September, 1944 215 Up-country … 46 37 37 Mid-country … 45 36 36 Low-country … 43 35 35