HOLIDAY PAY FOR WORKERS

Southland Times, Issue 23375, 6 December 1937, Page 6

HOLIDAY PAY FOR WORKERS

CHRISTMAS BONUS AND SUSTENANCE (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, December 3. Further consideration has been given by the Government to the question of holiday pay for men employed under the special rotational full-time employment scheme according to a statement made today by the Minister of Labour (the Hon. H. T. Armstrong). The Minister stated that when the matter was first considered it was realized that in view of the considerable variation in the holiday provisions under the awards a number of workers would not be entitled to any holiday pay over the Christmas period, while in other cases payment would be made for only two or three days. In order that all workers would be placed on a uniform basis it was decided to close down special full-time works for the two weeks ending January 1 and 8 and to pay the men sustenance for this period instead of granting the holidays to which they might be entitled under the provisions of the awards or industrial agreements governing their employment. In addition it had been decided to treat them as eligible to participate in the special Christmas bonus concession.

“It is not likely that any workers employed under this scheme will receive less by way of sustenance and Christmas bonus than would be the case if they were paid only for those holidays to which they might be entitled under the governing awards,” Mr Armstrong said. “However, in cases where the amount of the holiday pay would exceed the sustenance and Christmas bonus application can be made to the department’s local certifying officer who will be authorized to pay the difference to the workers concerned.”