OLDER WORKERS IN INDUSTRY

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27407, 21 July 1954, Page 8

OLDER WORKERS IN INDUSTRY

MINISTER SEEKS INFORMATION Commending the interest of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ ‘ Federation in the subject of older workers in industry, the Minister of Labour (Mr W. Sullivan) has asked for information on the policy of management towards older workers. Whether workers are dismissed ahead of the usual retiring age,, whether retirement is automatic at a particular age, and whether practical encouragements to continue are offered, are some of the points raised by the Minister. He also seeks information under the following headings:— The proportions of older workers employed by managements; the experience of managements with older workers (“absenteeism, safety, output responsibility, loyalty and particular evidence of failing capacity . ...”); preferences of managements in engaging labour and reasons for preferences, and a sample of older workers who have left employment over a particular period, with the reason for leaving. The Minister’s letter contained an

offer of assistance by officers of his department in any further research by the federation. A major research project on older workers, with special reference to Government services, has been carried out by the School of Public Administration at Victoria University College, according to the Minister. The report should be available soon. “I am particularly interested to see that your federation, working independently, has brought forward much the same points as have been brought forward by the Department of Labour in the latest of its series of articles in the department’s ‘Gazette,’ ” said the Minister.

When a copy of the Minister’s letter was received at a meeting of the council of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association, the president (Mr J. Bradley) recalled that the matter had been raised four or five months ago by Mr F. S. Taylor. It was pleasing to see that it had attracted such interest in higher quarters. Mr W. A. Bascand suggested the Minister’s reply should be referred to Mr Taylor (who is overseas at present) for his comment before the council considered what further action was taken by the council. This course was agreed to.