Concept:The strike was caused by the colonial government’s refusal to meet workers’ wage demands amid rising living costs.
Explanation:In 1945, railway workers and other government employees demanded a
50% increase in cost of living allowances.
The British colonial acting governor rejected the demand.
Workers then organised a general strike to press for better pay and improved conditions.
Thus, the primary trigger was economic hardship caused by the government’s refusal.
Answer:D. government's rejection of a demand for an increase of
50 percent in the cost of living allowances.