AGREEMENT AS TO FRUIT WORKERS’ PAY AND HOLIDAYS

Wanganui Chronicle, 21 January 1947, Page 4

AGREEMENT AS TO FRUIT WORKERS’ PAY AND HOLIDAYS

(P.A.) Wellington, Jan. 20. The following is a correction of last week’s announcement regarding the fruit workers’ agreement of 1947, which came into force on January 13. It provides for paid holidays on Christmas Day, Boxing Dhy, New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Anzac Day and the Sovereign’s birthday, if the worker has been employed by the same employer for four weeks.

The minimum rates of wages for workers permanently employed are: Managers, £6; other male workers, 21 or over, £5 12s 6d; female workers, £4; youths, up to 16, £1 15s, 16 to 17 years £2 7s, 18 years £2 10s, 18 to 19, £3 2s 6d, 19 to 20 £3 12s 6d, 20 to 21 £4 7s 6d. An employer is entitled to make a deduction for time lost through sickness or accident, the worker's own default, or by his written request. Casual workers’ rates are: Adult males, 2s 9d an hour; adult females, Is lOid; youth, 16 and under Is 3d. 16 to 18 Is 6d, 18 to 19 Is 9d, 19 to 21 2s 4d; girls, 16 and under Is, 16 to IS Is 6d, 18 to 19, Is 7d, 19 to 21 Is Bd.

Where board and lodging are provided for casuals, a deduction may be made, but must not exceed 12s 6d In the case of youths and girls 18 and under.

The agreement has yet to be approved by the Economic Stabilisation Commission.