PAY AND CONDITIONS FOR FARM WORKERS

Northern Advocate, 31 March 1937, Page 8

PAY AND CONDITIONS FOR FARM WORKERS

Tentative Agreement Reached [Per Press Association. Copyright.} CHRISTCHURCH, This Efcy. An agreement has been ■reached be- j tween representatives of the New Zealand Workers’ Union, the New Zealand Sheep Owners’ Rederation arid the New Zealand Farmers’ Union governing the rates of pay and general conditions for farm and station workers other than those already covered, such as dairy farm workers, shearers and musterers. A statement that the agreement was tentative, pending ratification by Order-in-Council, was made at the office of the Minister of Labour, the Hon. H. T. Armstrong, yesterday. With publication of the Order-in-Council, the agreement will become law. Minimum Rate. The agreement, it was stated, provides for a minimum rate for permanent employees of £2 2/6 a week and found, with an addition of 17/6 a week where board and lodging are not provided. The wage for casual farm labourers by the hour is set down at 1/8 and found, and for harvesting work 2/ an hour and found. For casual farm labourers engaged by the day, the rate is 13/4 a day and found, or 16/ if not found. No restriction is to be placed on the number of hours to be worked, and provision is made for 18 paid holidays a year, including statutory holidays. Youths’ Wages. Youths’ wages are to be 1/ an hour, or 8/ a day and found, or 1/3 an hour' and 10/ a day if not found. The agreement contains a clause dealing with the employment of under-rate workers. Employers will not be empowered to charge rent for cottages occupied by their employees.