ESSENTIAL INDUSTRY

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXVI, Issue 252, 26 October 1942, Page 4

ESSENTIAL INDUSTRY

TRANSFER OF WORKERS. MANY MORE REQUIRED.

Over 7000 workers, of whom about 6000 are men, have been drafted from non-essential to essential work since action was first taken to increase mdustrial labour strength by concentrating it in the channels most directly effective to the war effort, Though the figures do not represent the full demand, at present there are 3855 vacancies unfilled for men in essential industry and unahi e to be satisfied with the resources available at the middle of last month. The similar number of vacancies for women is 1598. The latest figures show that only 388 appeals against transfer had been lodged, and of these 85 were withdrawn, 140 dismissed, 109 upheld, and 54 unheard. Of the 388 appeals 256 were from employers who were losing staff, and only 132 were from the persons who were the subject of dic direction. The number of applieations to transfer employees from essential work to other work received up to the end of August was 25,550, of which 10,552 came from employers and 14,998 from employees. Those figures cover seasonal workers. In 12 per cent. of the cases permission to terminate employment was withheld. and in those cases where permission was granted, 4541 employees transferred to other employers in the same industry, and 8231 transferred to other essential industries. Only 1399 were transferred to nonessential industry, and 3704 were lost to industry for various reasons, such as marriage by women and ill-health and retirement. In respect of all those decisions only 332 appeals were made. Of these 163 were dismissed, 70 upheld, 30 withdrawn, and 69 are not yet heard.