Mr. W. T. Williamsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the low wages being paid to workers in Sierra Leone in Government employment; the discontent caused by these low wages compared with high salaries in the senior ranks of the service for both Africans and Europeans and the absence of any real cost-of-living survey in any of the four West African Colonies; and what steps he is taking to raise these wages.
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Mr. GriffithsThe wages of all Government industrial workers are determined by the Joint Industrial Councils, on which the workers are fully represented by their trade union representatives. These Councils cover both Government and non-government workers. Minimum wages were raised in September, 1949, by amounts varying from about 6⅔ per cent. for the highest paid workers to about 11 per cent. for the lowest paid workers. Established government employees of all grades received in December, 1949, a cost of living allowance of 12½ per cent. on salaries.
The desirability of accurate cost-of living surveys is recognised by the West African Governments, and the Sierra Leone Government proposes to institute a survey as soon as qualified staff is available.