Acht Gutachten über die Sonntagsruhe im Handelsgewerbe

What is wrong with the British iron and steel industry?

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Monograph

Identifikator:: 835096955

URN:: urn:nbn:de:zbw-retromon-28834

Document type:: Monograph

Author:: Laveleye, Émile de

Title:: The Socialism of to-day

Place of publication:: London

Publisher:: Field & Tuer

Year of publication:: 1884

Scope:: 1 Online-Ressource (XLIV, 331 S.)

Collection:: Economics Books

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of our competitors and where in addition wages were de- pressed to the minimum and in certain cases legislative provisions governing the hours of labour were abrogated. At the same time, the pressure of unemployment upon our members was increasing, and having regard to the nature of the competition with which the industry was faced, the Executive Council discussed the situation at their meeting in November, 1925, and decided that it could only be met by prohibition, and consequently addressed a resolution to the then Prime Minister on the matter. Simultaneously a communication was addressed to forty- eight Members of Parliament representing constituencies where iron and steel production was carried on, from which the following is extracted :— “I beg to direct your attention to the following resolu- tion passed by the Executive of the above organisation. which has been forwarded to the Prime Minister — ‘That this Executive directs the attention of the Prime Minister to the parlous condition of the Iron and Steel Industry of this country, and to the adverse competitive factors operating against it which are outside its control, and urges the Government to take immediate steps to prohibit the importation of iron and steel from countries where wages rates and hours of labour are below British standards.’ “In connection with the above, I have to point out that with the exception of unskilled and certain semi-skilled grades, wages in the principal branches of the industry are—in comparison with pre-war rates—lower than in any other important industry in the country. This is due to the fact that wages are governed by the selling price of the commodities produced, with the consequence that in the heavy steel trades, for example, wages stand at 211 per cent. over pre-war as against an increased cost of living of 76 per cent. This has been necessary to compete with the prices of Continental competitors where wages— despite the principle laid down in the Washington Hours Convention—are made up by extended hours of labour. “Among other factors against this country are the differ- ence in the treatment of War debts, inflated exchanges and indirect subsidies in respect of exported material. “Despite the wages reductions referred to, the percentage of unemployment—after allowing for those who during the past four years have permanently left the industry— ranges from 22 per cent. to 25 per cent., a condition of things without parallel throughout its history. Yet it may be taken as a fairly reliable estimate that if the steel now being imported under unfair competitive conditions was produced in this country, it would find employment— direct or indirect—for over 100,000 workmen. This is {13%

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