Employed in the Dockyards, the
Utility Cos., and
the Government.
Skilled Tradesmen
Average Rates of Pay for Wage-Earners.
Skilled Workmen
Semi-Skilled Workmen
Unskilled
1946 (end)
1948 (end)
(including rehabilitation allowance)
$5.00-$6.20
$6.00-$8.00
$4.50-$5.00
$5.50-$7.00
$4.20-$4.50
$4.60-$5.80
$3.20-$3.60
$3.50-$4.00
These rates are based on an 8-hour day for 26 days a month, and include the rehabilitation allowance, which for artizans is on an average $3 a day and for male unskilled labour $2.40 a day. For the purpose of comparison with 1946 the following table shows the present average total earnings of certain transport workers in one month:-
Tram Drivers
Bus Drivers
1946
$154-$174
$169-$184
$140-$164
$139-$159
1948 (end)
$190-$227
$212-$227
$172-$210
$167-$185
Tram Conductors
Bus Conductors
Chinese
Owing to the shortage of skilled labour many firms, which do not generally speaking have as high operating costs as the large European concerns, but which at the same time cannot offer the same security of employment, pay on a com- paratively higher scale. Thus for male labour engaged on a time work basis the following rates are general:-
Continuous Work.
Casual Work.
Skilled Tradesmen
Skilled Workmen
Semi-skilled Workmen
$7-$14 per day.
$8-$20 per day
$5-$ 7 per day.
$7-$12 per day
$3-$ 5 per day.
$4-$6 per day
These are total earnings, since Chinese firms generally do not pay a rehabilitation allowance.
In the majority of Chinese industrial establishments however, wages are paid at piece rates, which vary considerably from industry to industry.
The
table below gives the 1947 range in some of the principal industries and operations in which piece rates prevail. has been little or no change in 1948.
Industry.
Electric Hand Torch Manufacture
Electric Hand Torch Battery Manufacture
There
Average Daily Wage.
(9 hours)
$1.20-$3.40
$1.60-$2.20
Electric Hand Torch Bulbs
$1.00-$2.80
Hardware Industry
$1.00-$3.15
Garment Making
$1.00-$5.70
(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
25