MANY EMPLOYEES ABSENT

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23223, 9 January 1941, Page 6

MANY EMPLOYEES ABSENT

Urgent War Work Held Up . EXPERIENCE OF CITY FIRM When one of the biggest clothing factories in the city opened after the Christmas and New Year holidays on Monday, it was found that 37 per cent, of the employees were absent from duty. This was indicated in a statement issued by Millers’, Ltd.' to ‘‘The Press” yesterday. The firm concerned has extensive contracts for the manu- ' facture of Army and Air Force uniforms. The statement made by Millers’, Ltd., follows: “The complete indifference shown by some operatives regarding their obliga. tions and the requirements of the country has been forcibly impressed on the management of Millers, Ltd.’s clothing factory in Christchurch. The factory closed for the Christmas and New Year holidays on December 24 and opened on Monday, January 6. On opening however, it was found that 37 per ’cent, of the employees were absent, production being affected, naturally to a greater extent. All departments' were affected, the absentees comprising cutters, machinists, tablehands, pressers, etc. ' “This factory is heavily engaged on. , military and air force uniforms, for which the Defence Department has been stressing the necessity for regular and urgent supplies. A number of uniforms were in the last stages of completion when the factory closed down but, as the factory is short of its full complement of pressers, the uniforms are unable to be dispatched. Considering the crisis through which ■ we are passing, some steps should be taken to insist that, barring iUness or. exceptional circumstances, employee* should be compelled to remain at their posts. Employers are helpless in the matter and it is time the Government took this matter in hand. Apart from holiday time, the number of absentees causes’ the management of this factory serious concern.”