THE UNEMPLOYMENT ACT, 1930

Hokitika Guardian, 11 February 1931, Page 5

THE UNEMPLOYMENT ACT, 1930

SCHEME NO. 5: In regal'd to placing unemployed workers with local bodies, the Board has put forward some probable queries and the replies thereto, as follows: 1. What type of work are the men to be employed on ? .As long as the work complies with Hide 4. the Unemployment Board leaves the matter entirely to the discretion of the local body concerned. Blit it is to be clearly understood that local authorities cannot obtain a subsidy from the Public

Works Department or from ally Government funds in respect of the materials. supervision, transport, and cartage, which is required by Buie 7 to be provided by the local authority. Where works estimated to (cost more than £4OO are undertaken on main highways under this scheme, 1 the local authority must first ob-1 tain the consent of the district representative of the Main Highways < Board.

2. What do the words "exempted by the Board" in Buie 1 precisely mean ? This exemption refers to all workers who have been exempted by the Act or under regulations and who are able and willing to work; it does not include those physically incapacitated for work. 3. What is ruling of wages for work offered? ‘’Ruling wage" here means the wages usually paid for tile class of relief work undertaken. The wage for local labourers varies in different places, and the wage-rate under this scheme will vary accordingly. If any work involves skilled labuor j governer by awards, the award rate must be paid; but the Board’s sub-j sidy in no case will exceed the amount operating on Government relief works, the difference in wages to be made up by the local body in cases where the award rate is higher than thq Government relief-work rates

4. Does the Board think two days’ work per week sufficient for a man to live on? The Board’s scheme, an alternative to sustenance, provides better relief in a better way, but is not claimed to provide a living-wage. A worker can look elsewhere for additional work, other than work subsidized by the Board. 5. Can a worker. who is selected for work under the No. 5 Scheme also be given work under the No. 2 Scheme? No. A worker can be given work only under one of the Board's subsidised schemes in the same week. This does not however, debar a worker from himself obtaining private work not subsidised by the Board during the days of the week when he is not employed under the Scheme No. 5 or any other of the Board’s schemes.

6. Will a man who has not paid his levy he entitled to work under this scheme ? The payment of sustenance was confined by the Act to contributors This scheme, however, is extended to cover every worker who has paid his levy instalment or who has been exempted. If lie has neither pair nor gained exemption, it is evident that he is flouting the Act wilfully . and cannot he considered until he puts himself "on side.” 7. Ts' .the scheme to be extended beyond March ? This scheme is more generous than the proposed sustenance. Until it is tried out the Board cannot determine the full financial obligation. Tt must therefore in the meantime he considered definitely as covering the months of February and March only. The Board will make an announcevment regarding extension or otherwise ns soon as the necessary information has been obtained by experience. 8. What proof must a Local Committee get, that a man has a wife and dependents

The Committee is expected to take every precaution. If not already known to members of the Local Committee, then the applicant should furnish names of responsible citizens who can verify his statements. Applicants must be treated as single until proof to the contrary has been furnished. 9. Rule 8 talks of selection of men. Will this not mean that favourites will get preference? This scheme is intended to reach every worker according to his needs. Selection here only refers to fitting men employed for two or more days’ so that the maximum number may he employed each day. This further refers to selecting men for the class of work which they are most suited. Selection of this kind covers cases also referred to in Rule 9.

10. How do you classify "ordinary’’ employees? What the Board means here is that workers may not be employed under this scheme on jobs from which other workers or they themselves have dismised (except for misdemeanour) by tlie local authority Nor must local bodies put off other jobs other than relief works with a view to finding them work under this scheme. In the interest of the scheme. Local Committees and local bodies are asked to observe this strictly.

11. Is a worker under this scheme to be engaged from week’ to week ? No. The worker is engaged ■ for two or more days per week, according to classification, until dismissed, but not further than to the end of March. This will not prevent his leaving for a better job if he can obtain one, nor prevent his dismissal for misconduct. l ,

12. What objection has tile Board to letting a single, man work, a full week and then two.weeks off? The same objection it would have to paying him two weeks’ sustenance 'allowance in advance. The Board 7s endeavouring to provide for his needs each week. 13. Will local bodies get allocation under this scheme similar to practice under the No. 2 Scheme?

No. Wagbs are to be paid by the local body in the first place. The local bodies are requested to place all, if possible, of the men registered in the district provided the men are engaged in accordance with the rules laid down. The local body will be repaid each week the amounts expended* 14. How will local bodies be reimbursed for amounts spent in wages under the scheme? The claim should be made on voucher form Ty.—-39, to which must he, and must remain attach* ud the pay sheet bearing the receipts of the men. Provided the voucher is duly certified by the Goveminent certifying officer in the district, it will be paid on presentation at the principal logal money-order office. In no case is payment to be made in advance.

15. How will Rules 11 and 13 be complied with? ft will be sufficient if the local certifying officer immediately vouchers for the week have been checked and certified, will telegraph the Unemployment Commissioner the total amount of wages certified for the week for all loon) bodies in his district who have had men engaged under Scheme No. 5 during the week.

This telegram is to be followed by a confirming letter giving also the particulars required under Rule 13 viz., for each local body employing men under Scheme No. 5, the number of men engaged for two, three, or four days respectively, with the total wages paid for each class, the aggregate for all classes for all local bodies, of course, agreeing with the total amount given in the telegram. 16. What is the position in regard to workers’ compensation insurance under this scheme? Each local body employing men under this scheme is required to make its own arrangements for insurance of workers. The Board has definitely decided that it cannot undertake any liability in regard to accidents to employees under this scheme. MALCOLM FRASER, Unemployment Commissioner. Wellington, oth February 1931.