FACTORY WORKERS

Evening Star, Issue 23745, 28 November 1940, Page 8

FACTORY WORKERS

FEMALES' IRREGULAR ATTENDANCES ADVERSE AFFECT ©N INDUSTRY [Pek United Pkess Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, November 27. A decision to draw the Government’s attention to the serious loss in production arising from the irregular attendance of workers at their employment with a view to reducing to a minimum the default of workers for trivial reasons was reached at the conference of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation at Hannier Springs to-day. This decision followed a long discussion on the difficulties encountered by factory owners, especially those engaged in production for Government munition and supply contracts. It was stated that the difficulties arose chiefly over the attendance of female workers. Members drew attention to the practice among some workers of absenting themselves for very trivial reasons. It was also stated that these absences usually occurred on the day after pay day. and the workers concerned, who were in many cases key workers, were generally content to make up the lost day’s pay by a shorter period pf time worked for higher rates as overtime. Two further remits regarding munitions production were referred to the Resident Executive Committee. These urged that the Government bo requested to reopen the Onekaka iron works or a suitable substitute, and that the Government be asked to encourage the establishment of a brass extrusion and rolling mill to assist in tho production of the necessary material in New Zealand for the manufacture of small arms.

TROUBLE EXPERIENCED USUALLY EXTENT APPEARS TO VARY Inquiries reveal that the situation outlined above applies in certain quarters in Dunedin; indeed, some businesses have been rather seriously affected. Against this, however, other concerns are well satisfied with the way the girls are working, and have no fault to find with their attendances. Where girls have been absenting themselves from work it appears that the offence is most noticeable when they have been to a dance or otherwise had a late night. They do not turn up to their bench until the following afternoon, thereby losing four hours in the morning. They admit their willingness to work overtime to make up the lost hours, but they get paid time and a-half for that, which is costly to the employer and frequently throws him out in his estimates. By adopting the attitude they have, tho girls, it is stated, work shorter hours in a week for more wages. The shorter hours naturally affect production. One firm at least has taken steps to remedy the position as it applies to its employees. No girl is allowed to work overtime the following week if she has not put in her full 40 hours’ day labour in the previous week. Since this measure was brought into force, the girls have been keeping to their hours very well. The measure does not, of course, apply whore girls are genuinely off work because of indisposition, but they have been more or less put on their honour, and the results have proved satisfactory.