INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH

Evening Star, Issue 24324, 13 October 1942, Page 6

INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH

7,000 WORKERS TRANSFERRED TO ESSENTIAL OCCUPATIONS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 12. Since it was first found necessary to take action to build up the country’s industrial labour strength where it could be most effective to, the war effort just over 7,000 workers in non-essential employment have been drafted to essential jobs. Approximately 0,000 were men. In certain districts there are still pools of labour untouched, but to transfer these men and women to areas where essential works are concentrated is handicapped by lack of accommodation in several areas. The problem is acute, notably in Wellington and Hutt Valley, and offers of accommodation would be welcomed. A gratifying feature has been the willingness of most workers to abide by the directions given them. The latest figures show that only 3SB , appeals against transfer have been lodged, of which 85 were withdrawn, 140 dismissed. 109 upheld, and 54 are unheard. Some 256 of the appeals were by employers who were losing staff, and only 132 were from persons the subject of direction. The number of applications to transfer employees in essential work to the end of August was 25,550, of which 10,552 came from employers and 14,998 from employees. In 12 per cent, of the cases permission to terminate the employment was withheld, and in those cases where permission was granted 4,541 employees transfered to other employers in the same industry, and 8,2.31 to other essential industries. Only ] ,399 were transferred to non-essential industry, and 3,701 were lost to industry for various reasons, such as marriage by women, ill-health, and retirement. In respect to all those decisions only 332 appeals were made. Of these 163 wore dismissed, 70 upheld, 30 withdrawn, and 69 have not yet been heard. At the present there are 3,855 vacancies for men in essential industry and 1.598 for women, but this does not reveal the full position, as many employers, knowing the man powdr authorities cannot satisfy their needs, do not bother to make them known.