Relaxation in 40-hour Week

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 144, 21 June 1939, Page 5

Relaxation in 40-hour Week

And Adoption of Piecework TWO ESSENTIALS FOR INCREASED PRODUCTION Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, June 20. The New Zealand Employers' Federation and the Associated Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand in conjunction have forwarded the following statement to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Labour:— In the opinion of tho New Zealand Employers' Federation and the Associated Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand the most urgent problem in New Zealand's internal economy to-day is the need for increased production from all our internal industries as well as from our export industries. These two organisations h,ave therefore given consideration to the question of what practical methods may be applied with the object of increasing production. Their consideration of tho question has resulted in the unanimous conclusion that there are two things which may be done and to which it is reasonable to request the Government of New Zealand and tho workers of New Zealand to give their favourable consideration. These two things are:— (1) Legislative provision that, notwithstanding anything contained in any award or industrial agreement, it shall be permissible for employers’ and workers’ organisations in any industry in which the 40-hour week applies to arrange that the first four hours of overtime in any week shall he worked at ordinary time rates and may he spread over the first five days of the week, or worked on Saturday morning, as may he mutually arranged. This wnuld have thd effect of increasing production hy approximately 10 per cent, and it would he to the benefit of the worker in two ways. It would enable him to earn 10 per cent, extra wages to assist him to meet the increasing cost of living and it would also tend to check the further increasing of costs and prices. (2) The adoption of piecework wherever such a system can he easily and rapidly applied. This would undoubtedly have the effect of increasing production and also of enabling workers to earn higher . wages. It is realised that workers’ organisations in many cases have a rooted objection to piecework, hut it is believed that the objections can be overcome and that such safeguards may be applied to piecework systems as will remove any possible fear of workers being in any way sweated or unfairly treated. The two organisations concerned in this request do therefore most earnestly urge upon the Government that careful and favourable consideration be given these proposals.