DEFENCE WORKS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 63, 16 March 1942, Page 4

DEFENCE WORKS

CONDITIONS FIXED KAILS OF PAY AM) HOI KS. (P.A.) Wellington, March 1-1 The announcement on Wednesda.'- • of the Government's decision to gi\< ■ absolute priority to dcience work.- . was supplemented last evening by tht ; issuing oi an order fixing the races oi . pay and hours Lor such labour. Th( ■ oroer suspends the provisions of ai - awards, industrial agreements, anc ■ voluntary agreements relating lo employment in any industries engaged ii (ielcii' c construction v.oik. Explaining the terms of the order the Minister of Labour (Mr. Vveou said last evening that the norma hours of work were to be 54 a week Shifts were to be worxed as required Wages lo be paid were to be calculated on the basis of the total amount payable uncier lhe relevant award oi agreement lor a 50-hour week v. >. o.ertimc at the rate of time and a half lor the hours in excess oi inc ordinary hours. For example, carpenters would receive 3s 3d anu labourers 2s 9d an hour, or a wee Kl.. wage lor hours ol £8 15s 6d and i. 8s riel respectively. “No overtime or holiday or Sunday rales will be payable lor work dom on such occasions,’’ Mr. \vebb continued. “Each worker wilt be paid a minimum ol £5 5s a week except loi any week during which he is absent : iroin work through his own detauit. On country wora, unless board am. lodging is provided, an allowance o. 30s a weex will be paid. Provision is also made for work to be performev by contract on a co-operative basi; where necessary. In respect of ma<- : ters not provided lor in the Suspension Ordei the provisions contained in the awards or agreemenK apply. ’ “Very careful consideration has ■ been given to the conditions laid down in the order which may call lor sacri- : lices on the part ol some workers wlu at present, because of the shortage o ' man-power, are receiving amounu greatly in excess of award rates." saic ■ the Minister. “However, I have been greatly encouraged by the discussion;thal have taken place and the earnes desire expressed by workers' organisa lions and employers to give their 1 wholehearted support to tne scheme The provisions ol the order are con- ; curreo in by the hours committee 0j the Industrial Emergency Council.”