HC Deb 12 April 1945 vol 409 cc2000-1W
Colonel Lyons

asked 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 Stanley

The 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.

In 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