MANY ABSENTEES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 8 January 1944, Page 5

MANY ABSENTEES

INDUSTRIES fS AUCKLAND Auckland, Jan. 7. An increase in absenteeism, specially among women workers, was noted by most Auckland industries which resumed work this week after some 10 days’ holiday. Inquiries yesterday showed that the proportion had varied considerably, being rather high in some cases and almost negligible in others. Industries which felt it most were those into which the largest numbers of women and girls had been directed compulsorily under the industrial manpower regulations. Managers who were interrogated did not regard the matter as very serious. Some of them pointed out that their factories had been working a great deal of overtime for long periods, the total time time worked often being up to 60 hours a week, and that, though they had reopened on Tuesday of this week, it had been in the full expectation that some of their hands would not appear till a day or two later. Since then the position had improved. The head of one business remarked that, while in theory everyone should have been back at work on the starting day, it was possible that the extra day or two which many workers had taken would represent more output in the long run. He was sure that if the weather had not been ideal for holidaymaking more of his hands would have returned promptly to work. It was found yesterday that a number of clothing and footwear factories in the city had not reopened, and it was stated that some of them would not start work till the beginning of next week. An industrial authority expressed the opinion that this was an acknowledgment by their proprietors that the staffs needed a longer rest than in normal times. Under the recent regulations the number of workers entitled to payment for days off duty at Christmas and New Year was considerably increased, and this no doubt imposed a greater obligation to return to work on the due date. However, it appeared to have little effect in that direction.