Full Support Of House For Paid Holidays Bill

Northern Advocate, 16 March 1944, Page 4

Full Support Of House For Paid Holidays Bill

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The Annual Holidays with. Pay Eill was introduced by Governor-Generals message whca the House of Representatives met last night. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr. S. G. Holland) said that provision foi paid holidays represented a policy long advocated by the National Party. Since it had been a plank of their policy, they welcomed, the legislation which was, in fact, overdue. He hoped there was something in the Bill rewarding workers who kept good time, otherwise absentees and strikers! might be treated the same as conscientious workers. The Minister for Labour (Hon. P. Webb) said that Mr. Holland’s remarks gave a delightful turn to an important debate. It was refreshing to know that the Opposition was in accord with him on the Bill which was similar to legislation passed in Britain and elsewhere. The Government would have introduced it long ago but for war conditions. However, it had been shown that lack of rest

was militating against efficiency. Many people were working 50 to 60 or more hours weekly and everyone would agree that a fortnight’s holiday was not too much under the strenuous conditicas now obtaining. Mr. W. J. Poison (Oppn.-Stratford) asked about holidays for seasonal workers such as freezing workers. Would their holidays have to come at Christmas? Mr. Webb said that provision for holidays in such categories would be made by regulation. Obviously some industries could not give holidays at certain holiday periods. The Bill was read a first time. Many Work Long Hours Moving the second reading of the Bill, Mr. Webb said it must be obvious to all who had visited workshops and factories of the country that there were large numbers of men and women, many of them getting old, -working for long hours at the present time. Unfortunately, the great bulk of people who worked hardest enjoyed the least benefit of holidays with pay. The Bill merely extended provisions of paid holidays to them ail. The debate was adjourned and the House rose until 2.30 p.m. today when the debate will be resumed. Before Mr. Webb moved the second reading, three committees were set up to enquire into and report upon organisations set up and the methods employed in recording the votes of servicemen in the recent general election. Outline of Bill

Th Holidays with Pay Bill is to come into operation on August 1, but a qualifying period for the annual holiday may date back to not more than 12 months before that date. The object of postponing the date of coming into operation is to allow sufficient time, after the passing of the measure, to enable necessary and holiday cards to be issued. On completion of each year of service with an employer, every worker is to be entitled to an annual holiday of two weeks on ordinary pay, and this holiday is to be given within six months after it becomes due. If a worker’s employment is terminated after he has become entitled to an annual holiday, but before he has taken it. the employer is required to pay the worker holiday pay due. If a special holiday for which a worker is entitled to payment occurs during any period of the annual holiday, the period of the annual holiday is to be increased by one day accordingly.

Covers All Workers

The Bill is to cover all workers, including domestic servants, who are employed for not less than one week. If a worker is employed for less than one year, but three months or more, the employer, on termination of employment. is to pay the worker an amount equivalent to 1, 25th of his ordinary pay for the period of employment. If the employment is for less than three months, but not less than a week, the employer has to affix to the worker’s holiday card, ordinarypostage or revenue stamps to the value of l/25th of the ordinary pay, less tax. It is provided that a holiday card may be surrendered after expiration of one year from the commencement of the earliest period of employment, in respect of which stamps are affixed to 'the card. When a person is surrendering the card he may receive, at any money order office or other approved place, the total value of stamps affixed.

Other Provisions

The Bill does not apply to workers already entitled to annual holidays or leave more favourable to him under any award or agreement or contract of service.

Provision is made that workers employed under any order of the Waterfront Control Commission or employed as tally clerks on the waterfront, are to be allowed two weeks’ holiday on pay for each year of employment on conditions as may be approved by the Minister for Labour. Restriction is placed on either workers or employers contracting out of the benefits of the Bill and it will be an offence for any person entering into any agreement for that purpose. Holiday books are to be maintained by all employers, while a penal clause provides penalties for breaches of the legislation not to exceed £lO in any one case with a further £2 for every day the offence continues.