transport workers. These were previously paid monthly, but are now, by agreement, paid on a daily basis. For the purpose of comparison with 1946 and pre-war figures, the following table shows their present average total earnings per month:-
1947 (end)
Tram Drivers
Bus Drivers
Tram Conductors
Bus Conductors
Pre-War
1946
$36-$45
$154-$174
$27-$55
$169-$184
$30-$39
$140-$164
$20-$35
$139-$159
$190-$227
$212-$227
$172-$210
$167-$183
Owing to the continued shortage of skilled labour many Chinese firms, which do not generally speaking have as high operating costs as the large European concerns, but at the same time cannot offer the same
same security of employment, are compelled to pay a comparatively higher scale. For example the following rates for male labour engaged on a time work basis are general:-
1947
Skilled Tradesmen
Skilled Workmen
Semi-Skilled Workmen
Continuous Work
$7-$14 per day $5-$ 7 $3-$ 5
""
Casual Work
$8-$20 per day $7-$12 $4-$ 6
""
22
"
These are total earnings, since Chinese firms generally do not pay a rehabilitation allowance. On the other hand, in the majority of Chinese industrial establishments, wages are paid at piece work rates. These vary considerably from industry to industry. Most of the piece-workers are women, and the following table give the 1947 range in some of the principal industries and operations in which they are engaged:
Industry
Electric Hand Torches
Electric Hand Torch Batteries
Electric Hand Torch Bulbs
Average Daily Wage
$1.20-$3.40
$1.60-$2.20
$1.00-$2.80
Hardware
$1.00-$3.15
Garments
$1.00-$5.70
Knitted Piece Goods:
(a) Bobbin-winding and knitting
$2.70-$4.00
(b) Making up garments
$1.25-$7.20
(c) Hosiery
$3.50-$5.00
Rubber Shoe Making
$1.50-$7.00
Weaving:
(Piece rates fixed by joint negotiation).
I. Power-Driven.
(a) Bobbin-winding
$2.00-$3.00
(b) Warping and Weaving Sections
$4.00-$6.00
II. Hand-Operated.
(a) Bobbin-winding
$1.00-$2.00
(b) Warping and Weaving Sections
$3.00-$4.00
These earnings are averaged on the basis of a 9-hour day.
21