WOMEN AT WORK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26620, 17 November 1947, Page 4

WOMEN AT WORK

To-day there are more women working in industries in Zealand than ever before and’female labour is still in demand. In order to overcome the shortage various devices are used to attract women to the factories, but these usually have the effect of bonuses over and above the fixed wage rate. As a result of this better payment, and of the fact that female labour is so sought after, there has tended to be an improvement in the status of the “ factory girl.” It is, however, an improvement only on the material side, and it has not been accompanied by what may be termed general social improvements. A recent estimate is that there are no fewer than 35,000 women employed in New Zealand factories and this not inconsiderable portion of the total working community presents problems which have hitherto been totally neglected or have received inadequate attention. One of the first inquiries into these matters has recently been carried out by Miss Maude Eaton and her report, “ Girl Workers in New Zealand Factories,” has now been published by the Industrial Psychology Division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. It is one of the virtues —as well as one of the limitations —of the book that it is a personal report by one investigator, but it is provocative ,of thought and deserves attention.

•“ The whole subject of factory girls,” says Miss Eaton in her introduction, “ is far from being of merely academic interest. • On the contrary, it is of serious practical importance. It vitally concerns employers, trade unionists and social workers —to mention only the more important groups of people who are trying to influence factory girls.” The interest of the employer is easily understood. It derives from the fact that an understanding of the requirements of his female employees stimulates production and creates a stable body of necessary labour. Social workers represent—or should represent—the active endeavour of the whole community to assist in the educational needs of these workers and to provide for their recreation so that by realising their own potentialities they can make their full contribution to the community. The inclusion of trade unions among the most interested groups is particularly important. Most unions are almost entirely masculine organisations and are concerned only with the problems of male workers. Compulsory unionism has removed one incentive which would otherwise have obliged union officials to give attention to

the needs of women workers. Their responsibilities—like those of the employers—extend far - beyond the securing of an adequate wage and decent working conditions. There is no doubt that the factory girl tends, to form a class apart from other workers, and there is little understanding of her mental attitude which persists to a degree even after she has escaped from her environment, usually by way of matrimony. Among the suggestions which Miss Eaton offers is one which appears to be especially worthy of consideration—that a system of parttime work should be encouraged. This offers prospects of relieving the shortage of female labour and, at the same time, of creating an understanding of this section of workers and bringing it into broader touch with the community as a whole.