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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Cook Welsh rule 'unlawful' | Thomas Cook Welsh rule 'unlawful' |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Travel agent Thomas Cook's request for Welsh speakers to discuss work in English "probably" breaks the law, says the Commission for Racial Equality. | Travel agent Thomas Cook's request for Welsh speakers to discuss work in English "probably" breaks the law, says the Commission for Racial Equality. |
| Its staff in Bangor, Gwynedd, were told that all work-related discussions with colleagues must be in English. | Its staff in Bangor, Gwynedd, were told that all work-related discussions with colleagues must be in English. |
| Thomas Cook said its staff had not been banned from speaking Welsh, or any other language, privately. | Thomas Cook said its staff had not been banned from speaking Welsh, or any other language, privately. |
| Cymdeithas yr Iaith (the Welsh Language Society) said it highlighted the need for a new Welsh Language Act. | Cymdeithas yr Iaith (the Welsh Language Society) said it highlighted the need for a new Welsh Language Act. |
| It has emerged that staff at the Gwynedd store had been asked to use English only to discuss business matters, such as training and team performance. | It has emerged that staff at the Gwynedd store had been asked to use English only to discuss business matters, such as training and team performance. |
| In a statement, Thomas Cook said the policy did not apply to personal conversations between staff, nor did it apply to Welsh-speaking customers wishing to be served in Welsh. | In a statement, Thomas Cook said the policy did not apply to personal conversations between staff, nor did it apply to Welsh-speaking customers wishing to be served in Welsh. |
| The statement read: "Thomas Cook can confirm that its staff have not been banned from speaking Welsh - or any other language - in its network of UK stores. | The statement read: "Thomas Cook can confirm that its staff have not been banned from speaking Welsh - or any other language - in its network of UK stores. |
| "The company has always requested that its staff, regardless of any geographical location, speak English to other staff members when discussing work-related matters in the work place. | "The company has always requested that its staff, regardless of any geographical location, speak English to other staff members when discussing work-related matters in the work place. |
| It's somewhat silly. It's not something that will work in the workplace Chris Myant, Commission for Racial Equality in Wales | |
| "This ensures clear communication at all times and is respectful to team members who do not speak other languages." | |
| A bilingual sign has now been put in the window of the company's office in Bangor which reads: "Despite press reports you are very welcome to do your business here through the medium of Welsh." | A bilingual sign has now been put in the window of the company's office in Bangor which reads: "Despite press reports you are very welcome to do your business here through the medium of Welsh." |
| The Commission for Racial Equality in Wales said it would be consulting its lawyers, while the language society has already been in contact with the firm. | The Commission for Racial Equality in Wales said it would be consulting its lawyers, while the language society has already been in contact with the firm. |
| Commission director Chris Myant told BBC Radio Wales that Thomas Cook's policy was "quite probably" in breach of the Race Relations Act. | Commission director Chris Myant told BBC Radio Wales that Thomas Cook's policy was "quite probably" in breach of the Race Relations Act. |
| He said: "It's somewhat silly. It's not something that will work in the workplace. | He said: "It's somewhat silly. It's not something that will work in the workplace. |
| "We won't make a definite statement until we've actually seen the full details. But this is something that won't run with the Race Relations Act in general." | "We won't make a definite statement until we've actually seen the full details. But this is something that won't run with the Race Relations Act in general." |
| Hywel Griffiths, chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg - which translates into the Welsh language society - said the decision was "disgraceful". | |
| If you've got customers coming in speaking Welsh, employees who are fluent, then they have a right to speak whatever language they wish in the workplace Hywel Griffiths, chair, Cymdeithas yr Iaith | |
| "It really wouldn't have happened if a [new] Welsh Language Act had been in force," he said. | "It really wouldn't have happened if a [new] Welsh Language Act had been in force," he said. |
| "If you've got customers coming in speaking Welsh, employees who are fluent, then they have a right to speak whatever language they wish in the workplace." | "If you've got customers coming in speaking Welsh, employees who are fluent, then they have a right to speak whatever language they wish in the workplace." |
| However, First Minister Rhodri Morgan said while there needed to be "changes" to the Welsh Language Act, he did not believe a new act was necessary. | |
| "We don't necessarily need a new Welsh Language Act, but what we need to do is strengthen the rights of individuals to avail themselves of the language act as it exists today," he said. | |
| "Or, we need to strengthen the ability of individuals to take on a company that is treating them in a way that cuts across a bilingual Wales." | |
| Meanwhile, Plaid Cymru's parliamentary leader, Meirionnydd Nant Conwy MP Elfyn Llwyd, said the ruling showed "crass insensitivity" and deserved to be "hammered economically" if it did not change its policy. | |