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89
337. No doubt the next Census figures will reveal the number of people who are not in work, but as this figure will include squatters, refugees and the like it will not be very helpful. The only way in which reasonably accurate unemployment figures can be obtained is through the operation of a comprehensive Employment Exchange Service the establishment of which is already an aim of policy of the Department of Labour.
338.
Without an Exchange Service it is impossible to ascertain the volume of unsatisfied demand for various grades of skilled labour and without this information t here can be no proper planning of vocational training. It is no good training people for skilled employment unless the types of training are related to actual or anticipated demand, and this can only be measured and assessed through the operation of an efficient Exchange Service.
339. The extent to which women and young persons are being employed in preference to adult male workers because of the lower wages they demand is of much importance and may well call for action, but the extent of this movement cannot be judged from existing statistical data:
I accordingly recommend:-
(a) An early Census;
(b) the establishment of an Exchange Service;
(c) the full implementation of International Labour Organisation Convention No. 63 and compulsory returns from employers of Labour;
(a) the building up of a wages Register by Industries;
and
(e) in due course the coordination of vocational
training in line with prospective demand be extended.
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