The company also manufactured a small amount of Cut and Sewn outer- wear, the fabric being knitted on circular machines, cut by Guillotine and a Band Knife machine.
The making-up and cutting section were not working at a high tempo, this being reflected in the fact that they were operating on time working as against an incentive payment method. Other than the linking machines, the making-up machines seemed to be old and when we moved into the pressing and packing department we were again surprised at the low work rate.
This factory had dormitory accommodation available for the operatives. There were approximately 500 places available but only 300 of the employees were "living in" at the time of our visit. The accommodation provided is free but usually only 5 were occupied.
the operatives have to make a contribution for the food which is served com- munally in a separate dining room. About 80 single men were living in the dormitories, one room accommodating 4 men but because of the number of vacant places, there were usually only 2/3 men in each room.
In the girls dormitory the accommodation was for 8 beds in each room but usually only 5 were occupied.
The dormitories provided adequate bathing and sanitary arrangements and it should be appreciated that people living in dormitories live in Japanese style, that is, the beds are made on the floor comprising a thin mattress, with blankets on top. When not in use these are rolled up against the wall thus leaving the complete space of the room free. The only furniture required is a table and cushions to kneel on-the rooms have built-in wardrobes.
We had the opportunity of visiting the dormitories and were impressed with the cleanliness and the apparent happiness engendered by the communal life.
The food is bought by all the people participating. They take the monthly cost of the food and divide it by the number of people. Each person then has to pay his/her particular share. All people living in dormitories have to be in by 10.30 p.m. The company provides classes for all employees living in the dor- mitories, the most popular being flower arrangement and sewing. After the appropriate time, usually 7 years, those participating in these classes obtain a certificate.
The Union has a noticeboard in the factory giving details of meetings and other activities, each factory being a branch of the Union and as such, affiliated to Zensen Domei. There is a shrine in the factory grounds for the use of the employees.
In conformity with Japanese custom, all male workers in this factory are paid the same wage, irrespective of the job they are undertaking. The only change in wage rate is due to service and age. This means that no matter what job is being undertaken in the factory, whether it be sweeping the factory floor or operating Full Fashioned Outerwear machines, if the two men are of the same age and have the same service, they both receive the same monthly salary.
Starting at 18 years of age in this factory, after working for the company for five years, at the present moment he would receive about 4,000 Yen per
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