The General Secretary of the Celtic League has written to Thomas Cook protesting at reports that employees in Wales have been requested not to speak the Welsh language while at work.
Rhisiart Tal-e-bot says the League also intends to register a complaint with the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE).
"Dear Sir/Madam
English only in Thomas Cook
I am writing to express our concerns about the reports we received this week that employees of Thomas Cook have been requested not to speak the Welsh language while at work. We are aware that the individual rights of employees are not protected under current legislation, but our members will not tolerate linguistic discrimination of this type in Wales.
Need I remind you that the Welsh language is the native language of Wales? Even though the English language is the most widely spoken language throughout the Isles, this is no reason to disregard the use of the other official languages spoken in the Celtic countries.
Moreover, Bangor has one has the highest proportions of Welsh speakers in the whole of Wales and to insist that business conversations should take place only through the medium of English, displays an acute insensitivity to the people of this community.
The Celtic League will lodge a complaint to the Commission for Racial Equality in Wales and will urge our members to boycott the Thomas Cook stores (including My Travel and Lufthansa ) until this matter is adequately resolved.
We look forward to hearing from you and the measures you intend to take to remedy this ill-thought out working policy.
Yours sincerely
Rhisiart Tal-e-bot General Secretary Celtic League"
See also news report at BBC Wales:
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
11/06/07
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