ESSSENTIAL JOBS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 241, 12 October 1942, Page 4

ESSSENTIAL JOBS

WORKERS' TRANSFERS

SEVEN THOUSAND TO DATE

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, this day

Since it was first found necessary to take action to build up the country's industrial labour strength where it could be most effective to the war effort, just over 7000 workers in non-essential employment have been drafted to essential jobs. Approximately 6000 were men in certain districts. There are still pools of labour untouched, but the transfer of these men and women to areas where essential works re concentrated is handicapped by a lack of accommodation. In several areas the problem is acute, notably in Wellington and the Hutt Valley, and offers of accommodation would be welcome.

A gratifying feature has been the willingness of most workers to abide by the directions given them. The latest figures show that only 388 appeals against transfer have been lodged, of which 85 were withdrawn, 140 dismissed. 100 upheld and 54 are unheard. Two hundred and fifty-six of the appeals were by employers, who were losing staff, and only 132 were from persons were the subject of direction.

The number of applications to transfer employees in essential work to the end of August was 25,550, of which 10,552 came from employees and 14,998 from employers. In 12 per cent of the cases permission to terminate the employment was withheld, and in those cases where permission was granted 4541 employees transferred to other employers in the same industry, and 8231 to other essential industries. Only 1390 were transferred to non-essential industry, and 3704 were lost to industry for various reasons such as marriage by women, ill-health and retirement. In respect to all those decisions only 332 appeals were made. Of these 163 were dismissed, 70 upheld, 30 withdrawn, and 69 have not yet been heard.

At present there are 3855 vacancies for men in essentia] industry and 1598 for women, but this does not reveal the full position, as many employers, knowing that the manpower authorities cannot satisfy their needs, do not bonier to make them known.