HIGHER PAY IN ORCHARDS

Southland Times, Issue 23443, 25 February 1938, Page 8

HIGHER PAY IN ORCHARDS

FIXATION OF HOURS OF WORK WELLINGTON, February 24.. Slightly higher rates of pay for agricultural workers in orchards, to operate from February 14, are prescribed in the Agricultural Workers Extension Order, issued with tonight’s Gazette. The new regulations, which for the first time fix the hours of work for certain seasons, will remain in force until further notice. Provision is made for a six-day week and the maximum hours of work a fortnight will be 80 from the third week of May until August 31, 88 for September, October and November, and 96 for December until the end of the second week in May. Sunday work is permitted in certain circumstances. Overtime is to be paid at the rate of time and a-half, except for frost fighting, when ordinary rates will be paid. Provision is also made for statutory holidays. The minimum weekly rates of wages for managers of 21 years and over are £4 2/-, the sum of 17/6 to be deducted if board and lodging is provided and for other adult male workers £3 18/-, 17/6 to be deducted if board and lodging is provided. The rates for youths permanently employed, together with the amount deductable if board and lodging is provided are: Over 15 years and to 16, 20/-, 7/6; 16 to 17, 25/-, 7/6; 17 to 18, 30/-, 10/-; 18 to 19, 40/-, 10/-; 19 to 20, 45/-, 10/-; 20 to 21, 52/6, 10/-; over 21, adult male rate, less 17/6 if board and lodging is provided. The rates for casual workers who are defined as workers employed on an hourly or daily basis are: Adult males 1/9 an hour; adult females, 1/5; youths and girls up to 18,1/-; 18 and over, 1/3.