NO MATERIAL CHANGES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19099, 21 August 1936, Page 5

NO MATERIAL CHANGES

FARM WORKERS BILL

HALF-HOLIDAY PROVISION

( Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day

No material change has been made by the Labour Bills Committee in the Agricultural Workers Bill which fixed minimum wages and conditions for dairy farm workers. The schedules of minimum wages have not been changed, hut an addition to the clause giving power to make regulations shows that when the guaranteed price system extends to other branches of farm industry, (lie provisions of this measure, with the necessary mollifications, can he made to apply by Order-in-Couneil, which will indicate specific classes o! workers to which the extension will apply. Before an order is issued, the Minister of Labour shall consult, any organisations of workers or employees which may exist in connection with the branch of industry concerned. The committee has extended the definition of “farm worker” to include horticultural employees and any person who is being trained by any institution established to train agricultural workers, or any apprentice bound bv indentures.

The main provision for holidays for dairy farm workers specified not less than seven days for every 12 weeks or employment. To this the committee has added a sub-clause that it shall he sufficient (compliance with the clause where a worker is allowed a half-holiday weekly from noon if he is allowed an additional holiday of not less than 14 days in the aggregate during each year of employment or a proportionate part of a fortnight for any shorter period of employment,