1099
65
Factory Night Work 15 DECEMBER 1969
ignored"; on the contrary, the Depart- ment always considers unions' views most sympathetically and carefully.
It may be helpful if I outline some of the considerations which we have in mind in such cases as this. In our view, given that an exemption order fulfils the statutory condition of being
遗尿
. . . desirable in the public interest for the purpose of maintaining or improving the effi- ciency of industry or transport . .
the order should be granted, unless good cause for refusing it is shown. Anything in the working conditions pre- judicial to the women's safety, health or welfare would be good cause for re- fusing the order; so also would unwill- ingness on the part of women.
On the other hand, a contention that men should be given preference at night for work women were doing during the day would not be regarded as good cause for refusing the exemption. In short, we set out to see that the restrictions are used only for the protection of women and not as a means of discrimin- ating against them.
Shuresta Ltd.'s cycle stand assembly department was under pressure to meet a contract deadline for 24th December. mainly for export work. The firm in- vited women normally employed on a part-time evening shift to volunteer for full night shifts, on the same work as they had normally been doing. Nine women volunteered. Four of them are what is described as chrome jiggers; before small components can be chromium plated, they must be suspended from small pieces of wire, bent into the form of hooks and suspended in the chrome plating vat. This is a simple, unskilled job, but
but one which needs nimble fingers. No training is required, other than watching someone doing the job for a few minutes. It is a process also carried out in other parts of in- dustry, and the factory inspectors con- cerned saw it performed only by women.
The other five women were assembling bicycle stands by hand; this also in- cluded spells of working a hand-operated rivetting machine. Though this work is semi-skilled, nimble fingers and a light touch are essential and this work in this factory is always done by women.
8 [ 21
(Women)
1100
Our information is that the employer started this women's night shift on Monday, 3rd November, though he had not applied for an exemption order. The Coventry District Secretary of the A.E.F. telephoned the District Inspector of Factories about it on Monday, 10th November, whereupon the District In- spector investigated the matter. A factory inspector visited the
the firm's premises at 11 p.m. on Thursday, 13th November, and was there until 1 a.m. He saw nine women at work and, hav- ing in mind the possibility of prosecu- tion, took written statements from each of them. He saw the night foreman and, in moving about the factory, noticed that men were employed elsewhere in the factory that night.
In their statements, the women said that they were satisfied with the welfare conditions and with the spells of work and breaks for meals and rest. There was no transport problem, the women using three of their own cars. The fac- tory inspector reported to his district inspector that morning, Friday 14th November. The district inspector con- tacted the works director and the two inspectors told him that the night work was illegal and that he must have it stopped immediately, and that there was a possibility of prosecution. The works director then explained the importance of the work and the deadline of 24th December. The district inspector said that if he wished to continue the night shifts, he must apply for an exemption order.
It was decided that the circumstances were not appropriate for prosecution. The inspectorate had no knowledge of any previous illegal employment of women at night by this firm. On the same day, Friday 14th November, the district inspector posted the application and other relevant forms to the works director and the district inspector visited the factory at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, 18th November.
Mr. Edelman: Is my hon. Friend aware that in a letter from the District Inspector of the A.E.F. he spoke of women having been employed by this firm 16 months previously and said that he had contacted the local factory in- spector and had asked that the women
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.