ה
94
pattern
-64-
at all and the methods of calculating piece work rates are legion and in many cases most complicated.
402. A seven day week is usual and average working hours seem to be about 922. Two of the factories now grant their workers a regular day off each week. There is no evidence of any collective bargaining.
(v)
ELECTRIC BULB INDUSTRY
403.
There are numerous small factories engaged in the production of electric torch and car light bulbs and a good deal of attention has been paid by the Labour Inspectorate to the working conditions in these under- takings. As a result, conditions generally can be said to be fair but there is some overcrowding.
404. Wage rates were established by collective agree- ment in 1947 between the employers and the workers, but the agreed rates have since been varied by many employers. Earnings vary from $1.20 a day for finishing bulbs at the rate of 400 a day to $4.50 for the most complicated operations. The girls on the lower paid work hone to get more remuneration work when a vacancy occurs. Piece-rate working is almost unitversal.
(vi)
ELECTRO PLATING
405.
The factories registered as electro plating under- takings now number 26 and provide employment for about 500 workers, the majority being males. Many of these works are small family concerns.
406.
Wage rates do not appear to be low in comparison. with other local industries. There is said to be a regular apprenticeship scheme but the ratio of apprentices to skilled journeymen is exceptionally high.
407.
(vii) KNITTING AND HOSIERY INDUSTRY
There are as many as 228 registered knitting and hosiery factories of various kinds. There is no collective bargaining and wage rates are fixed by the various employers sometimes on a basis of individual bargaining with his own employees.
408. It would appear that the average woman worker can earn about $3 a ̄`day. Knitting machine minding is remunerated as from $3 to $5.50 a day and making up from $2.50 to $3 a day.
$8
Examiners and sorters appear to get from $2 to $2.50 a day. Wage rates in this industry are very variable and in the smaller works there is much "family" employment. The rates generally are lower than in the majority of the cotton spinning and weaving mills.
4.09.
(viii)
METAL WARES
This is an important industry affording employ- ment to over 5,000 workers in as many as 146 registered factories. Working conditions vary a great deal but on
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