VOLUNTARY UNEMPLOYED

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22201, 18 September 1937, Page 20

VOLUNTARY UNEMPLOYED

TO THK EDITOB Or TUB PRESS Sir, —I should like to ask for an explanation of what exactly is meant by the term “voluntarily unemployed." On the application form for relief work it is stated that anyone on relief work refusing to take outside work when offering will be classed as voluntarily unemployed and will be refused any consideration whatsoever. In this district there are to be some public works undertakings, and some of us unemployed who have taken work for a week or two outside arc not to be allowed on this public works job. as Mr Ross says that we are not registered unemployed at present through taking this work, while those who did not apply for this work, but remained on relief, arc to be allowed to start immediately. Wc who tried to better ourselves by taking this outside work arc to be penalised for it—yours etc., £ >y LOCHHEAD. Southbridgc. September 13. 1937. [When this letter was referred to Mr M. Ross, the district employment officer, he said that a worker became voluntarily unemployed wlien he was dismissed by an employer, or employing authority, for: (1) failing to yield a reasonable amount of work, (2) improper behaviour or practice, (3) unauthorised absence from duty, etc. This, ho said, applied to any work: (1) where the work was governed by conditions of awards or industrial agreements. (2) where the Agricultural Workers Act, 1936, applied, (3) where the current standard was adopted by a State department, or to any scheme administered by a State department. Mr Ross said it would appear that this correspondent was receiving private employment and was therefore not eligible for relief.!