EXCESSIVE OVERTIME

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24715, 18 September 1941, Page 13

EXCESSIVE OVERTIME

PROBLEM IN AUSTRALIA BRITISH MISSION'S REPORT (Air Mail) SYDNEY, Sept. 14. The problem of decreasing excessive continuous overtime without interfering with the increasing tempo of war supply production in Australia is to be tackled by the Federal Department of Labour and Industry. The Government feels bound to act on the report just released of the British Supply Mission which visited Australia early in the year. The mission cams to the conclusion that excessive overtime was being worked in the Australian factories, and drew attention to the fact that in England a similar position had resulted in a considerable loss in efficiency. Strain on Workers

Sydney trade union leaders agreed with the findings of the mission, pointing out that, while many war workers worked six eight-hour shifts a week, others were engaged for 54, 58, 60, anj' even 72 hours a wesk. This, they claimed, caused industrial unrest and was placing considerable strain on the men.

The Chief Industrial Medical Officer of the Health Department <Dr G. Badham) said excessive overtime was uneconomic and an unnecessary charge on Government expenditure. "To get Ihe best production, we must increase the number of shifts rather than the hours of work." he said. "Only in very isolated cases would it be possible to increase productivity by extending the daily hours past 10. In nearly every occupation or industrial process there is a limit to productivity. There is an optimum number of hours for producing goods. Once past them, production falls. It does not increase because men are on the job for longer hours. It lessens." Maximum of Ten

In many industries, explained Dr Badham, the optimum number of hours for the greatest production was 10. in some, it was only eight or nine. " If you employ men for 12 hours you are getting less production and paying more for it," he said. " Only in very isolated cases would it be possible to increase productivity by extending the hours past 10." The Federal Minister of Labour (Mr Holt) is to discuss the problem this week with the Metal Trades Employers' Association. Matters to be considered include dilution of labour and the employment of women in metal trades to release men for more urgent work.