HOURS IN INDUSTRY

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 26, 30 July 1940, Page 8

HOURS IN INDUSTRY

CASE FOR REDUCTION

REMOVING THE STRAIN

MINISTER'S NOTES

~ (British Official Wireless.) (Received July 30, 1.30 p.m.) RUGBY, July 29. l Realising that a continuation of 5 excessive hours of work is likely to I defeat the object of increased production, for which increased hour? were temporarily introduced in war industries, the Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Bevin) has sent a series of suggestions, drawn up in consultation with the British Employers' Confederation and the Trades Union Congress, to all firms producing munitions and war material. These notes say: "The continuation of work on seven days, with an average working week of between 70 and 80 hours, will quickly cause a rapid decrease in individual productive capacity owing to abnormal strain. If prolonged, the output achieved in seven days will become-less than what could have been achieved with the same group of workers in a shorter period. It is necessary, therefore, that the average hours of work should be reduced to a lower level, the ideal being a figure which will give, under existing conditions, the maximum output. It is not easy to determine this figure, which varies according to the circumstances of different industries, but experience shows that it is materially below the general hours at present being worked on war production. It may not be practicable to effect the necessary adjustment at once, in [which case the immediate provision [of adequate rest periods will assist in 'preventing undue fatigue." j The Minister therefore states that the ! labour force must speedily be inj creased, but while this is taking place ;—and new labour will have to be 'trained for the work —the strain onworkers must be relieved by an immediate reduction of hours. Where practicable, relief workers should be called upon,, if possible for two-day and twonight shifts. The Minister's notes include an illustration of the rotas which could be worked in factories to gain the desired result. Industrial experts are agreed that a 55-hour week is most satisfactory in wartime and likely to effect the maximum of production. The Ministry of Labour has issued an order authorising factory inspectors to give directions that munition factories should arrange for the employment of the necessary number of persons to maintain medical supervision, nursing, and first-aid, and the welfare and supervision of the workers em- j ployed by them. i