[Lgpolicy-list] [lg policy] Wales: Campaigners set to start Morrisons boycott due to 'lack of respect' for Welsh speakers

[Harold Schiffman]

 Campaigners set to start Morrisons boycott due to 'lack of respect' for
Welsh speakers
  Alys Mann and her son Harley at home near Caernarfon, who struggled to
get Welsh prescription processed at Morrisons in Bangor

Welsh language campaigners have begun a national boycott of Morrisons today
following a dispute about the supermarket showing what they described as a
“lack of respect” to native speakers.

Campaign group Cymdeithas yr Iaith claimed store managers of the
supermarket giant do not offer guidance when it comes to the Welsh
language, or have a policy in place that reflects the official status of
the language.

In January, a Morrisons staff member allegedly refused a prescription
<http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/welsh-language-prescription-row-mum-6505619>
because part of it was written in Welsh, a claim the supermarket chain
strongly refute.

Cymdeithas yr Iaith say that following the alleged incident, they wrote to
the company requesting talks about changes to ensure fairness for customers
in Wales.

Manon Elin, language rights spokesperson for Cymdeithas yr Iaith, said: “We
are continuing to discuss with Morrisons, but unfortunately, even after
years of discussions, they still have no Wales-wide language policy.

“They have said they want to increase the use of the Welsh language – which
is encouraging – but we don’t agree that it should be up to staff in
individual stores to decide on the provision of Welsh language promotional
materials and publications in each store. Clear guidance is needed from
their senior officers.

“For example, English-only signs have replaced bilingual ones during
re-branding of stores in Wales. There is no justification for this.

“We believe that Morrisons, as a company making profits in Wales, has a
duty to respect the Welsh language.”

*RELATED*: A history of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg
<http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/welsh-language-protests-history-cymdeithas-7025346>

The supermarket said it feels the boycott is “unfair and unreasonable”.

A spokesman for Morrisons
<http://www.walesonline.co.uk/all-about/morrisons>said:
“It (the boycott) will not change our commitment to Wales or the Welsh
Language. We will continue to work with the Welsh Language Commissioner and
other key bodies to ensure we can deliver the balance of Welsh and English
which our customers expect.

“Morrisons pride ourselves on delivering great service. In Wales this means
doing as much as possible to communicate in Welsh and English.

“We have a number of measures in place to support and promote the use of
the Welsh language. This includes bilingual signage in our stores, car
parks, and petrol filling stations, introducing the Iaith Gwaith badge
scheme, introducing a Welsh Language option at our self-service checkouts,
and using Welsh in some marketing and advertising.”
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/welsh-language-campaigners-cymdeithas-yr-8205607


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