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the whole may be classed as fairly good. certain sections of the industry are low.
410.
Wage rates in
In one of the largest enamel-ware factories employing, in normal times, nearly 600 workers half the employees were male Shanghailanders who were paid $1.30 a day plus three meals and sleeping accommodation in a large dormitory. This means that a worker has to perform about 15 hours' work in order to earn enough to pay for the cost of getting his haircut at current rates. locally recruited workers doing similar work were paid a flat rate of $3 a day. These are low rates for adult male workers.
The
411. In the more modern electric torch factories work· · ing conditions were excellent and the average wage rates nearly double those obtaining in the enamel-ware factories. The girls employed in a metal toy factory which uses up scrap metal were paid an average of approximately $2 a day. 412. The products of this industry are extremely varied including pots and pans, tin cans of all sizes, electric hand torshes, lamps, umbrella ribs, watch brace- lets studs, locks, toys, enamel plates and bowls, buckets, penknives; sewing, darning and knitting needles, screws, nails, umbrella ferrates, electric switches, keys, buckles, badges, trays, charcoal irons, water-pipe joints, oil drums, and metal window frames.
413.
There is a great diversity of types of operation and kinds of work to be done and there is little collective bargaining. The more highly skilled operations, however, are generally well paid in comparison with the rewards of unskilled and semi-skilled workers.
414.
(ix) THE PRINTING INDUSTRY
As many as 206 establishments engaged in printing work are registered with the Department of Labour and the whole field of printing work is covered.
415.
Wage rates in this industry tend to be high and the great majority of the workers are considered by their employers to be permanent employees engaged on a monthly basis.
416. There are no standard wage rates in the industry and the more efficient workers are able to demand and get comparatively high wage rates.
417. It would seem that this practice of rewarding individual ability is now so well established throughout the industry that any change would not be appreciated by the majority of the workers. They would fear that any agreed standard rates would mean alevelling down of earnings.
418.
There have been joint agreements covering allow- ance for food and lodging but none relating to wage rates.
419. Industrial relations in this industry appear to be good and disputes have been refreshingly infrequent.