NATIONAL CORPS OF DOMESTIC WORKERS

Northern Advocate, 11 June 1937, Page 3

NATIONAL CORPS OF DOMESTIC WORKERS

Christchurch Plan To Overcome Shortage [Per Press Association.—Copyright 1 CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. So acute has the shortage of domestic workers become that the women’s organisations in Christchurch have organised a special committee to tackle the problem. This committee, knoym as the „ Household Service Campaign Committee, proposes the training of a national corps ; of domestic workers, to be paid and hired out by the Government. It plans also a campaign among employers to change the attitude towards domestic workers. Public meetings will be called and the scheme will be laid before the Government. Status May be Raised. The opinion is widely held among women’s organisations that the status of domestic workers must ,be raised considerably if a good supply of efficient workers is to be maintained. An important part of their campaign will be directed .toward educating employers and intend* ifig employers in the art of employment. An attempt will be made to alter the public attitude toward domestic workers. The committee suggests: That the Government should inaugurate and recruit a national dbm-. estic service corps of young women agreeable to entering domestic service. s '• ' Guarantee of Employment. That recruits be guaranteed continuity of employment and remuner-' ation, as long as their service is satisfactory. ' ' _ That they undergo whatever training is considered desirable at a technical school or elsewhere. That they agree to perform service wherever required by a proposed domestic service department, which department shall ensure that living and working conditions are up to ■ standard. 1 Available to- All Women. It is also suggested tljat the service be made available to all women; and that consideration be given to expectant mothers, mpthers. convalescent after childbirth and mothers who have young families; and that the service be either free or charged for, according to the circumstances of each ease.:- v. The committee suggests that the trained household workers should , be paid,not by the employer,; but by the .Government, and that employers should pay into the Government department according to their means.