POVERTY OCCUPATIONS

Grey River Argus, 12 August 1944, Page 7

POVERTY OCCUPATIONS

. In the A.E.U. Journal, Mr. J'. D. Lawrence points out some of the worst poverty occupations in Britain. These a're: — "Aerated water manufacture, agriculture, food preserving, baking, bedsteads, ballast and' sand, biscuits, boards, beet sugar, boots and shoes, brewing, brick making, catering, chain making, coalmining, mat making, cold storage, coffin making, cotton weaving, retail distribution, drugs, and fine chemicals, elastic webb, fancy leather, flax, gloves,' grocery, hollow ware, laundering, light castings, locks, millsawing, pressed metal ware, leather, silk and waste reclamation.

“There are many adult men in these and otjher Occupations whose wage rates are as low as 60s. to 70s. for 48 hours; others range from 70s. to 80s. In only 15 are rates above 80s. per week.

"The exploitation of youths and boys between 14 and 18 years of age is detected in 20 industries in rates from 16s. to 28s. per week of 48 hours.

“In 28 occupations exceptionally well-paid women are rated at 555. in relatively few numbers. Many more are rated between 40s. to 505., and some sink to 375., 325. and 28s. Girls in 16 occupations begin as low as 16s. at 15 years of a'ge to 225.; one case recorded is 13s. 9d'. rising to 275. at 17 years; at 20 years wages range from 375. to 48s. In a distributive trade, virtue and respectability are demanded upon wage rates of 38s. to 455.

"Of course, it will be said that no one is working for these low rates, but it cannot be denied that earnings above these are obtained solely by overtime and payment by results. In the best paid section of engineering a girl under 18 in motor & aircraft received 435. 3d. in 1943. In non-fer-rous metals she obtained 395. 7d. • In cutlery, saws and files she got 275. 9d.”

“TRIBUNE”