NEW WAGE RATES FOR FRUIT AND TOBACCO WORKERS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23022, 12 August 1949, Page 5

NEW WAGE RATES FOR FRUIT AND TOBACCO WORKERS

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 11. New rates of wages for agricultural workers employed in orchards and in the tobacco industry were announced today by the Minister of Labour, Mr. A. McLagan. He said that new extension orders under the Agricultural, Workers Act, 1936, had been made, prescribing the wages and conditions of employment for agricultural workers employed in orchards throughout New Zealand and in the tobacco industry in the Nelson industrial district.

In fixing the new wage rates, which operate as from June 1, regard had been had to the recent pronouncement of the Arbitration Court.

The rates are: Orchards, permanent workers: Managers. £7 12s 6d weekly; other male workers, 21 years and over, £7; females, £4 12s fid. The rates for youths range from £2 2s 6d for 15 to 16 years to £5 7s 6d for 20 to 21 years. Casual workers. —Adult males, 3s 5d an hour; adult females, 2s 4Jd; youths from Is 61d for 16 years and under to 2s ljd for 19 to 21 years. The wages are payable weekly unless otherwise agreed between the employer and the worker and an accredited representative of the unionTobacco industry, field section: Adult males, 3s 5d hourly; youths from Is 4Jid hourly under 16 years, to 2s 3d for 20 years and over. Shed section: Adult males 3s 5d hourly, youths Is 4}d hourly under 16 years to 3s 5d after 20 years. Females from Is 3d under 16 years to 2s 3d for 20 years and over, wages payable weekly.