ENG-1948 — Page 37

Employed in the Dockyards, the

Utility Cos., and

the Government.

Skilled Tradesmen

Average Rates of Pay for Wage-Earners.

Skilled Workmen

Semi-Skilled Workmen

Unskilled

1946 (end)

1948 (end)

(including rehabilitation allowance)

$5.00-$6.20

$6.00-$8.00

$4.50-$5.00

$5.50-$7.00

$4.20-$4.50

$4.60-$5.80

$3.20-$3.60

$3.50-$4.00

These rates are based on an 8-hour day for 26 days a month, and include the rehabilitation allowance, which for artizans is on an average $3 a day and for male unskilled labour $2.40 a day. For the purpose of comparison with 1946 the following table shows the present average total earnings of certain transport workers in one month:-

Tram Drivers

Bus Drivers

1946

$154-$174

$169-$184

$140-$164

$139-$159

1948 (end)

$190-$227

$212-$227

$172-$210

$167-$185

Tram Conductors

Bus Conductors

Chinese

Owing to the shortage of skilled labour many firms, which do not generally speaking have as high operating costs as the large European concerns, but which at the same time cannot offer the same security of employment, pay on a com- paratively higher scale. Thus for male labour engaged on a time work basis the following rates are general:-

Continuous Work.

Casual Work.

Skilled Tradesmen

Skilled Workmen

Semi-skilled Workmen

$7-$14 per day.

$8-$20 per day

$5-$ 7 per day.

$7-$12 per day

$3-$ 5 per day.

$4-$6 per day

These are total earnings, since Chinese firms generally do not pay a rehabilitation allowance.

In the majority of Chinese industrial establishments however, wages are paid at piece rates, which vary considerably from industry to industry.

The

table below gives the 1947 range in some of the principal industries and operations in which piece rates prevail. has been little or no change in 1948.

Industry.

Electric Hand Torch Manufacture

Electric Hand Torch Battery Manufacture

There

Average Daily Wage.

(9 hours)

$1.20-$3.40

$1.60-$2.20

Electric Hand Torch Bulbs

$1.00-$2.80

Hardware Industry

$1.00-$3.15

Garment Making

$1.00-$5.70

(a) Bobbin-winding and knitting

$2.70-$4.00

(b) Making up garments

$1.25-$7.20

(c) Hosiery

$3.50-$5.00

Rubber-Shoe Making

$1.50-$7.00

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