MARRIED COUPLES’ WAGES

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23801, 21 November 1942, Page 6

MARRIED COUPLES’ WAGES

Sir,—Regarding the position of married couples on farms, I would be pleased if I could be told the answers to the following:—(a) When the wife is cook-housekeeper and husband cowman and general hand, what are the weekly award wages of each? (b) What time off is allowed for cookhousekeeper who does not have Sunday free? What time off is allowed a cowman under similar conditions?— Yours, etc., INQUIRER. November 17, 1942. [The official interpretation of the provisions of the Agricultural Workers’ Act, 1936, covers these points, said Mr R. T. Bailey, officer in charge of the Labour Department, Christchurch. The relevant clauses are:—(a) “In the case of any married couple, where the wife is employed as a cook or in connexion with the operations of the farm or station, the wages of the wife shall be such rate, as is agreed upon between the employer and the worker. Where any dispute arises as to the rates of wages to be paid the rates shall be determined by the Inspector of Factories." (b) “Every worker shall be allowed by his employer on the completion of 12 months’ service a total of 18 days’ holidays (on full money-wage paid) to be given at the convenience of the employer, provided that if the period of employment is less than 12 months but more than three months the worker shall be entitled on the termination of his employment to a proportion of the annual holidays according to the length of service performed.”]