FARM WORKERS

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXI, Issue 4959, 23 February 1937, Page 5

FARM WORKERS

NEW LEGISLATION. USEFUL EXTRACTS. So many farmers do not yet seem to understand their legal obligations under the new legislation, chiefly in the Agricultural Workers Act, 1936, that a summary of the most important features of this enactment will be of use to them. Rates of Wages. Every agricultural worker who is employed on a dairy farm shall be entitled to receive from his employer payment for his work at such a rate as is agreed on, being not less than the following, which are current until July 31st, 1937: (a) For workers under the age of 17 years, 17s 6d per week; (b) for workers of the age of 17 years but under the age of 18 years, £1 2s 6d per week; (c) for workers of the age of 18 years but under the age of 19 years, £1 7s 6d per week; (d) for workers of the age of 19 years but under the age of 20 years, £1 12s 6d per week; (e) for workers of the age of 20 years but under the age of 21 years, £1 17s 6d per week; (f) for workers of the age of 21 years and upwards, £2 2s 6d per week. Board and Lodging. In the first place it is the duty of the employer to provide sufficient and suitable accommodation for all agricultural workers employed by him. No charge shall be made for board and lodging provided for agricultural workers on dairy farms by their employers. Inr the case of any agricultural worker who is not provided with board and lodging by his employer the minimum rate of his wages shall be deemed to be increased by 17s 6d a week. Deductions. From Wages. No deductions in respect of time lost *by any worker shall be made from the wage payable to him except for time lost by reason of the default of the worker or by reason of his illness or of any accident suffered by him. Intervals of Payment. Except as to holidays of more than three days payment of wages (including the wages and allowances payable in respect of holidays) shall be made in full at monthly intervals or at such shorter intervals as may be agreed on by the employer and the worker. Less Than Minimum Wage. If any agricultural worker satisfies an inspector that he is incapable of earning wages at the appropriate minimum rate, the inspector may from time to time grant him a permit to accept wages at such lower rate as may be specified in the permit. A permit granted to any agricultural worker shall continue in force for the period specified in that behalf in the permit;' and while it continues in force the rate of wages specified in the permit shall be deemed to be the minimum rate of wages prescribed in respect of that worker. Women Workers. A permit may be granted under subsection 6 of the Agricultural Workers Act, 1936, to any woman or girl employed as an agricultural worker on any dairy farm if the inspector is satisfied, having regard to the conditions of her employment, the nature of the work performed by her, and by any other relevant circumstances, that she is not reasonably entitled to wages at the prescribed minimum rate.. Where a permit is granted for the purposes of this subsection the inspector may also reduce to such amount as he thinks fit the amount (if any) payable to the woman or girl in respect of her board and lodging pursuant to subsection 4 of the said section 14.