Legislation For Holidays With Pay

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 62, 16 March 1944, Page 5

Legislation For Holidays With Pay

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, March 15. The Holidays witn Pay Bill is to come into operation on August 1, but the qualifying period for the annual holiday may date back to not more than 12 months before that date. The object of postponing the date of coming into operation is to allow sufficient timo alter the passing of the measure to enable the necessary regulations and holiday cards to be issued. On the completion of each year of service with an employer every worker is to be entitled to an annual holiday of two weeks on ordinary pay and this holiday is to be given within six months after it becomes due. If a worker’s employment is terminated after he has become entitled to an annual holiday but before he has taken it the employer is required to pay the worker the holiday pay due. If a special holiday for which the worker is entitled to payment occurs during any period of the annual holiday tho period of annual holiday is to be increased by one day accordingly. The Bill is to cover all workers, including domestic servants, who are employed for not less than one week. If a worker is employed for less than one year but three months or more the employer on the termination of employment is to pay the worker the amount equivalent to l-25th of his ordinary pay for the period of employment. If the employment is for less than three months but not less than a week the employer has to affix to the workers' holiday card ordinary postage or revenue stamps to the value of l-25th of the ordinary pay less tax. It is provided that the holiday card may be surrendered after the expiration of one year from the commencement of the earliest period of employment in respect of which stamps are affixed to the card when the person surrendering the card may receive at any money order office or other approved, place the total value of the stamps affixed. The Bill does not apply to workers already entitled to annual holidays or leave more favourable to him under any award or agreement or contract of service. Provision is made that workers employed under any order of the Waterfront Control Commission or employed as tally clerks on the waterfront are to be allowed two weeks’ holiday on pay for each year of employment on conditions as may be approved by the Minister of Labour. Restriction is placed on either workers or employers contracting out of the benefits of the Bill, and it will be an offence for any person entering into any agreement for that purpose. Holiday books are to be maintained by all employers. A penal clailse provides for breaches of the legislation not to exceed £lO in any one case wi;h a further £2 for every day the offence continues.