Store ‘disrespecting the Welsh language’
CAMPAIGNERS have protested against the Lidl store in Porthmadog over its lack of Welsh language services with a call to strengthen the law.
The group of protesters plastered stickers on a Lidl store in Porthmadog which has recently been refurbished.
They held placards demanding ‘Safonau Iaith i’r Sector Breifat’ (Language Standards for the Private Sector) as part of a campaign to beef up current languageg legg islation.
According to a YouGov opinion poll, the majority of people in Wales want to extend language laws to ensure banks and supermarkets supply services in Welsh.
Speaking about the protest, Manon Elin, rights spokesperson for Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg, said: “Lidl is disrespecting the Welsh language and we shouldn’t have to protest to get these basic services in Welsh.
“Very many high street stores and supermarkets ignore the needs of the Welsh language across the country. There are a number of examples, like Lidl, where Welsh language provision is cut with rebranding or when new shops open. Legislation would ensure that doesn’t happen.
“Supermarkets are part of peo- ple’s everyday lives lives, it’s veryver important that people can shop in Welsh.
“We hope the Government will take the chance to include supermarkets, and the rest of the private sector under the Welsh language law as they strengthen it. Indeed, it was heartening that the Minister [Alun Davies AM] said recently that he favoured doing that.”
A recent report by the Welsh Language Commissioner found a majority of the public – whether they speak the language or not – like to see supermarkets use Welsh and want to see greater use of it. Manon Elin added: “The Welsh Language Commissioner’s recent report, as well as the research we have published, shows that a number of these big companies won’t supply full Welsh language services unless they are required to so. That’s why legislation is necessary, rather than relying on good will.”
At the moment, the law – the Welsh Language Measure 2011 – allows the Welsh Government to require some companies such as telecommunications, water, energy and transport to supply services in Welsh, but not businesses in other sectors.
A spokesperson for Lidl said: “Lidl UK respects and embraces the Welsh language, encouraging our bilingual colleagues to speak Welsh with customers where possible.
“We have been working closely with the Welsh Language Commission to develop our use of the Welsh language in our stores, and have been engaging with the wider industry through the Commissioner’s Supermarket Forum. We are trialling new signage, with a view to beginning a roll-out to all of our stores across Wales from this autumn.
“We were disappointed not to have been contacted ahead of the decision to conduct a protest, so we could have provided the necessary reassurances.”