CBI obstructing the road to Language Rights

dim-mynediad-cbi.jpgCymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg has called on the CBI to stop their attempts to set up a roadblock on the way to full rights for people to use the Welsh language. Following the negative remarks made by the CBI to the Select Committee on Welsh Affairs in Westminster today concerning the devolving of powers over the Welsh language to the Welsh Assembly, Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg has decided to hold a demonstration outside CBI offices in Cardiff Bay tomorrow (Tuesday 24/03).Sioned Haf, Campaigns Officer for Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg said:"It is high time that the old fashioned idea, promoted time and again by the CBI, that we should not legislate for the Welsh language was laid to rest. Fifteen years have passed since we last had any legislation in this field and it is therefore only natural that we should look again at our legislative needs in Wales so that we can make sure it meets with our demands in this day and age. The public sector has dramatically reduced in size over this period, and there has been massive growth in the private sector, and legislation needs to reflect this. As things stand, linguistic developments in Wales are lagging behind those of other countries outside the British Isles. The CBI's contribution to the debate is a negative embarrassment."

Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg are lobbying and campaigning in order to extend the scope of the LCO so that the National Assembly has enhanced powers to legislate positively for the Welsh language. This means that everybody should have the right to learn, see, hear and use Welsh naturally as part of their every day lives without restrictions.Sioned Haf added:"For any one who has asked for services in Welsh it is quite obvious that the present situation is intolerable. The scope of the LCO must therefore be extended in order to address successfully the weaknesses of the present legislation. Anything less than this will be contrary to the promises made in the One Wales agreement.""This isn't the first time the CBI has gone against the rights of the people in Wales. When the discussions on the minimum wage took place, the CBI claimed that thousands of jobs would be lost. This was proved to be false, and it is also false to claim that jobs will be lost with further legislation on the Welsh language. We believe that the opposite is true, and new legislation could actually enhance job prospects in Wales by requiring companies to set up centres in Wales to comply with legislation."Cymdeithas Evidence to Welsh Affairs Select Committee (PDF - English)Cymdeithas Evidence to Welsh Assembly Committee (PDF - Welsh)