In a move reflecting years of language rights advocacy, campaigners from Cymdeithas yr Iaith congregated outside Aberystwyth Post Office to voice their dissatisfaction over the absence of Welsh-language services. The protest follows numerous grievances lodged by customers who were later redirected to other local post offices offering Welsh-language assistance.
The organisers, Cymdeithas yr Iaith, dubbed the current setup as insufficient, invoking the Welsh Language Measure 2011, which recognises Welsh as an official language in Wales, granting everyone the right to communicate in it.
Prior to the picket, Cymdeithas yr Iaith reached out to the Post Office last month, urging the institution to incorporate bilingual signage, foster Welsh usage among staff, and ensure the availability of Welsh-language forms alongside English ones. The advocacy group underscores the importance of respectful treatment towards customers opting to use Welsh.
The wait for a response continues, as the Post Office remains silent on the matter.
Siôn Jobbins, a local facing hurdles in availing Welsh-language services, stressed that the issue transcends individual interactions. He emphasised the imperative for Post Office staff to grasp basic Welsh vocabulary, particularly terms integral to postal services. While not demanding full conversations in Welsh, Mr. Jobbins deemed the understanding of around ten Welsh words as reasonable, especially when it comes to simple transactions like purchasing a stamp book.
Siân Howys, Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith’s Welsh Language Rights Group, labeled the Post Office’s stance towards the language as utterly unacceptable, urging for immediate redress. She also implored the Welsh Government to wield its power, citing the statutory obligations it could enforce on the company since 2011.
Reflecting on the 60-year journey since Cymdeithas yr Iaith’s inaugural protest for bilingual services at Aberystwyth Post Office, Ms. Howys called on the Government to expedite actions, ensuring that the populace can exercise their fundamental right to avail services in their native tongue. The activists’ message is clear: it’s high time that institutions like the Post Office align with the nation’s bilingual ethos, fostering a culture of inclusivity and respect for linguistic diversity.
