§ 76. Commander Nobleasked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma whether he will make a statement on the reasons for the strikes of the Rangoon police on or about 9th September which rapidly spread to the district forces.
§ Mr. A. HendersonThe Rangoon Police, which is a separate force some 3,000 strong, went on strike on 5th September. Their main demands were for the recognition of their association, increased allowances to meet the high cost of living and non-victimisation. Discontent due to the high cost of living was undoubtedly a main factor in bringing about the 171W strike. The strike spread to some of the provincial police in areas outside Rangoon, but it does not seem to have affected more than a fraction of the force in the districts (about 3,500 out of a total of over 25,000). It came to an end on 5th October after negotiations with the new Government had resulted in the grant, for three months in the first instance, of a flat rate addition of 20 rupees to the pay of all Government servants receiving under 250 rupees a month.