2
EY
4. and 5. Number of Workers Employed;
Unemployed; Working Hours.
In the table of total production of the electrical industry,
the number of workers employed in the countries under review
is shown in columns 5 and 10. As regards these figures, as
the notes indicating their sources show, reliable data was only
obtainable for the countries which issue official statistics on
electrical production. Otherwise the figures are based on
estimates, obtained partly from the trade organisations of the
individual countries, and partly from other well informed
sources. Particular difficulty was experienced in determining
the number of manual workers, in the case of countries in
which the available figures related to the total number of
persons employed. In such case a definite ratio between the
numbers of manual workers and other persons employed had
to be assumed and a corresponding deduction made from the
totals.
The ratio between manual workers and other employed
persons varies in the different branches of the industry, and
also depends on the nature of the sales’ organisation of the
manufacturers concerned. Where manufacture is carried on
by “mass” production methods, the number of manual workers
will be smaller, as compared to other employed persons, than
where single” production is adopted. In times of temporary
economic depression, the number of persons employed on the
staff will be relatively greater compared to the number of
manual workers, as the contracts of the latter are easier to
terminate.
The total number of manual workers
employed in the electrical industry of the
world may be put at 800000 to gooooo, so that
the total ‘persons ‘employed probably
namber 1,1 to 1,2 millions.
Number of Unemployed.
No particulars can be given on this point, as, with the
exception of England, no country prepares unemployment
statistics specially relating to the electrical industry. ;
Where subdivision is made, it includes the whole of the
metal industry.
Working Hours.
This question is not dealt with in the present Report.