Coll 28/85S (1) ‘Persia. Abadan and S. W. Persian oilfields; Protection of British interests.’ [‎13r] (25/1113)

iadiaaa ara loyal an^ raliaolo. Tney aam far bettor
salaries taen taey could ever aope to obtain in India, and do
not inteaa to prejudice tneir cnances of promotion oy
associating tnemsulves »vitn disruptive elements. In^ real
troucle emanates from a few not-neaded junior Indian staff
employees, wno represent tneir own personal grievances as
> aain C3 tnose of ..tne wnole Indian community.
10. It is rumoured tnat tne Company intend to stop tne
recruitment of Indian staff employees in tne near future, and
tnat as a result of tne impending transfer of soiue of tneir
/York to London, tne/ intend to cease renewing tbe agreements
of a good many of tne junior Indians, wno will tons become
surplus to its requirements.
I- 1 * Indi an A rt isa ns. Tne communal restaurant widen was
opened for tne Indian artisans nas not proved a success,
mainly oecause of tne nigh prices cnarged for meals. ri.
meeting was called oy tne -aoour department to decide on tne
future rates of meals, but tne contractor explained tnat as
tne Company were unaole to supply him with certain essential
commodities suen as ^nee, etc., he was forced to purenase tnese
in the local market at pronioitive rates and enhance tne prices
in tne restaurant. A compromise was reacned however, but tne
artisans still found prices much too high and most of them
nave nad to resort to cooking tneir own meals. inly a handful
of tnem are patronising the restaurant at present. Tne
contractor now intends to ^ive up nis contract wnicn will be
talien up oy a more experienced caterer.
12. Another of tne artisans* difficulties is the absence of
a suitaole laundry. xjocad "Cnobis" nave been demanding
eb dials (od) for wasning eacn piece of ciotning anu tne
artisans are now forced to wash tneir own clothes. They nave
recently made represent at ions to tne Company in this connexion,
and tne matter is receiving attention.
lb. Tne feeiin^ amongst tne Indian artisans towards tne
Company nas continued to oe satisfactory. nearly of them
are Muslims, from tne riot affected areas in India, woose
families nave been directly ..affected by the disturbances,
Large numbers of them are tnerefore most anxious to return to
their home on compassionate leave. The services of the Indian
artisans are nowever invaiuacie to tne Company (nearly 200 more
skilled artisans are now being recruited in India; and the
Managements are unaole to do witnout large numbers of them at
any one time. They nave not so far oeen aele to find a
solution to tne problem wnicn is still under examination. Tne
Management nave oeen apprehensive that tne communal disturbances
in Iddia might nave repercussions in Abadan and tnat clashes
might occur between tne Moslem and Aindu/Sikh communities.
They are tnerefore considering tne possibility of transferring
ail Hindu/Sikh employees to outlying areas and bringing all
Moslems to ^oadan. 3ucn a step may not however be necessary
as apart from tne fact tnat the communities nave remained on
friendly terms, tne Indian artisans are well aware of tne fact
tnat any disturbances will result in tne intervention of the
Iranian autnorities and possibly in tne ultimate loss of their
lucrative employment in tne Company. The Muslim Community
nave subscribed one montn , s pay for relief purposes in Pakistan
and tne sum realised so far amounts to ds.7d,000.
lo. I ndian . Tne main social events during the quarter were
tnose connected witn tne establishment of tne new Cominions of
/India