§ 68. Mr. G. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what grounds 110W the Government workers in Cyprus have been refused permission to organise themselves into a separate trade union.
Mr. Creech JonesTrade unions in Cyprus are organised on the basis of individual trades and are co-ordinated and controlled by strong district and central federations. Recently, 60 Cyprus Government employees of diverse trades, previously members of the unions for their respective trades, sought to register the "Cyprus Government Workers' Trade Union," membership of which was to be open to any permanent Government employee irrespective of his particular occupation. The Governor was advised by his Executive Council that the creation of this kind of union would be prejudicial to a strong trade union movement run upon sound lines. Under the local Trade Unions and Trade Disputes Law, 1941, he accordingly exercised his power and refused to sanction the registration of the proposed organisation.
§ 69. Mr. G. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that seven months have elapsed since the Government workers in Cyprus made application for a wage increase; and whether it is anticipated that a decision will soon be reached.
Mr. Creech JonesClaims made in November, 1946, on behalf of labourers employed by the Cyprus Government, included one for increases in wage rates. The sponsors of the claim were informed on 29th November that there would be no increase in basic wage rates, and that wages would continue to be related to the cost-of-living index. Wage rates were last increased, in accordance with that procedure, on March, 1947.