CO129-626-3 Labour Department- report to Labour Commissioner 1-3-1951 - 30-6-1952 — Page 90

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266. In the meantime the difficulties likely to result from the imposition of a Trade Board have been explained and this method of determining minimum wage rates in any industry will have to be used with the greatest caution at a timu like the present.

257. I feel, however, that in due course the Colony will need some form of Industrial Court and I therefore recommend the setting up of a similar type of Tribunal of the highest standing to deal only at this stage with the following matters raised by a duly registered Trade Union or Association of Employers:

(1) Determination of a minimum wage rate applicable

to any specific industry.

(2) Determine in any particular industry whe ther existing differentials as between unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled workers are sufficient to encourage the acquisition of skill.

(3) Determine the wage rates to be paid to appren- tices in any industry having regard to the. rates paid to skilled journeymen.

such a Tribun: 1 will learn to be reasonably consistent in its decisions and must within reason, follow the precedents which it creates. One of its chief objectives would be to hold a reasonable balance and thus secure the willing acceptance. of its decisions by both sides of industry. I am of the considered opinion that in order to promote the more ready acceptance of its rulings and decisions the Tribunal should be required to state the reasons for each of its decisions.

268. As time goes on the responsibilities of this Tribunal could be increased. It could also be constituted when necessary as an arbitration Tribunal under the Trade Unions and Trade Disputes Ordinance. This would be a very desirable development as I am given to understand that the gruntest difficulty is likely to be experienced in persuading any suitable person to serve on an arbitr: tion Tribunal in the future.

269. The members of any Tribunal of this type would be well advised to study the International Labour Organisation Report VI Wages, of the 31st Session held at San Francisco in 1948.

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