'out- Work' Cl ©thing Concerns Unionists

Northern Advocate, 26 November 1948, Page 6

'out- Work' Cl ©thing Concerns Unionists

WELLINGTON, Fri. (P.A.).—The increasing issue of permits for the making of clothing by workers outside of factories is perturbing the New Zealand Clothing Workers’ Union, according to a statement issued by the president of the union (Mr E. B. Newton, of Wellington) the vice president (Mr R. A.. Hill, of Christchurch) and the secretary (Mr John Roberts, of Christchurch).

“Often, in our opinion, these permits are granted without proper investigation or inquiry in several parts of New Zealand,” they said. “We feel that the increasing issue of the permits has all the elements to make a ‘sweating’ system if there is a recession of trade.” The view of the union was that the law was faulty and representations would be made to the Minister of Labour (Mr McLagan) for amendments to the act to ensure the strict supervision of “out-work” and that permits were granted in only very special circumstances. Some of the out-workers were making utility garments, but most were making luxury goods.

Their hours of work were not known and no check could be made on the sanitary conditions under which they worked or on the employment of child labour.