National Security (Employment of Women) Regulations (Amendment)

Legislation au C1942L00236 Regulations Not in force Legislative Instrument

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STATUTORY RULES.

1942. No. 236.

 

REGULATIONS UNDER THE NATIONAL SECURITY ACT 1939-1940.*

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the National Security Act 1939-1940.

Dated this twenty-second day of May, 1942.

GOWRIE

Governor-General.

By His Excellencys Command,

E. J. WARD

for and on behalf of the Minister of
State for Defence.

 

Amendments of National Security (Employment of Women) Regulations.†

Definitions.

1. Regulation 4 of the National Security (Employment of Women) Regulations is amended—

(a) by inserting before the definition of Industrial Authority the following definition:—

determination includes any determination or other decision of any authority of the Commonwealth or of a State having power to fix rates of payment for employees of the Commonwealth or of the State or of any authority of the Commonwealth or of the State, as the case may be;; and

(b) by inserting after the definition of munitions of war the following definition:—

“‘the Board means the Womens Employment Board established under these Regulations;.

Establishment of Women’s Employment Board.

2. Regulation 5 of the National Security (Employment of Women) Regulations is amended by omitting sub-regulations (1.), (2.) and (3.) and inserting in their stead the following sub-regulations:—

(1.) For the purposes of these Regulations there shall be a Womens Employment Board consisting of a Chairman, one Special Representative of the Commonwealth, one Special Representative of

 

* Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on 22nd May, 1942.

† Statutory Rules 1942, No. 146.

3692.—Price 3d.


employers other than the Commonwealth and two Special Representatives of employees and, in addition, two other members to be appointed from time to time (according to the subject-matter to be dealt with by the Board), one of whom shall represent an employer or an employers organization, and the other an employees organization.

(2.) The Chairman and the Special Representatives shall be appointed by the Minister, and the additional representatives shall be appointed by the Chairman.

(3.) Before appointing the Special Representative of employers other than the Commonwealth, the Minister shall consult with the appropriate employers organizations, and before appointing the Special Representatives of employees, he shall consult with the Australasian Council of Trades Unions.

(3a.) Before appointing the additional representative of an employer or of an employers organization, the Chairman shall consult with the employer or an appropriate employers organization, and before appointing the additional representative of an employees organization, he shall consult with the Australasian Council of Trades Unions..

Application for permission to employ females.

3. Regulation 6 of the National Security (Employment of Women) Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting from sub-regulation (1.) all the words after the word agreement and inserting in their stead the words and which is customarily performed by males, the employer shall not employ females on any such work at a rate of payment less than that so determined for male employees, unless the employer or an organization to which he belongs has made an application to the Board setting out fully the nature of the work on which it is desired to employ females.;

(b) by inserting in sub-regulation (2.), after the word employees, the words and employers;

(c) by omitting sub-regulation (4.) and inserting in its stead the following sub-regulation:—

(4.) The Board, after consideration of the application, shall decide—

(a) whether the work specified in the application is work for which a rate of payment for male employees has been determined by an industrial award, order, determination or agreement and which is customarily performed by males;

(b) in respect of the employment of females on work held in pursuance of these Regulations to be work for which a rate of payment for male employees has been so determined and which is customarily performed by males—

(i) whether females may be employed thereon;


(ii) the hours during which females may be employed thereon, and the maximum daily and weekly hours of work of females employed thereon;

(iii) the special conditions (if any) regarding the safety, health and welfare of females employed thereon to be observed by the employer;

(iv) whether the employment of females thereon should in the first place be on probation;

(v) if the Board decides that the employment should in the first place be on probation—

(1) the period of probation; and

(2) during the period of probation, the percentage to be paid to females employed on that work of the rate of payment so determined for male employees:

Provided that the percentage to be paid to any adult female employee shall not be less than sixty per centum of the rate of payment so determined for adult male employees on that work;

(vi) the percentage to be paid to females employed on that work of the rate of payment so determined for males employed on that work, if the Board decides that the employment of females on that work should not in the first place be on probation, or after a period of probation determined in pursuance of these Regulations.; and

(d) by omitting from sub-regulation (5.) the symbol (iv) and inserting in its stead the symbol (vi).

Review of existing rates of payment for females.

4. Regulation 7 of the National Security. (Employment of Women) Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting the words , prior to the commencement of these Regulations, employed, and continues to employ, and inserting in their stead the words employed or employs;

(b) by omitting the words for which a rate of payment for female employees, less than the rate for male employees, has not been determined by any industrial award, order, determination or agreement, and inserting in their stead the words which is customarily performed by males; and

(c) by omitting from the proviso the word for and inserting in its stead the words made to.


Employment of females in Department of Munitions, &c.

5. Regulation 11 of the National Security (Employment of Women) Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting from sub-regulation (1.) all the words from and including the words for female employees and inserting in their stead the words for males has been determined by any industrial award, order, determination or agreement and which is customarily performed by males.; and

(b) by inserting in sub-regulation (3.), after the word employees the words or of employers.

Pending applications before the Women’s Employment Board.

6. Notwithstanding anything contained in these Regulations, any application pending before the Womens Employment Board, immediately prior to the commencement of these Regulations, may be considered and decided by the Womens Employment Board established under the National Security (Employment of Women) Regulations, as amended by these Regulations, as if the application had been made under those Regulations, as so amended, and any evidence taken before the first-mentioned Board in relation to any such application shall be considered in relation to that application by the Board so established as if the evidence had been given before it.

 

By Authority: L. F. Johnston, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra.

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1942 No. 236, Regulations under the National Security Act 1939-1940, were enacted to address the need for regulatory oversight on the employment of women during wartime, specifically focusing on ensuring fair wages and conditions for women employed in roles traditionally held by men. These regulations were made by the Governor-General, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, under the authority granted by the National Security Act. The primary policy objective of these regulations was to establish a structured approach to the employment of women in war-related industries, ensuring that their employment was regulated in a manner that protected their rights and maintained equitable compensation standards. The establishment of the Women’s Employment Board was a key measure to achieve this objective, providing a forum for employers and employees to negotiate and resolve issues related to women's employment under wartime conditions.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules 1942, No. 236, under the National Security Act 1939-1940, provide regulations concerning the employment of women during the Second World War. These regulations apply to employers and employees within the Commonwealth of Australia, focusing on the employment of women in roles traditionally held by men. The Women’s Employment Board, established under these regulations, has the authority to decide on the employment terms for women in such roles, including rates of pay, working hours, and conditions related to safety, health, and welfare. Employers must apply to the Board for permission to employ women in these roles, and the Board will review and set terms to ensure fair treatment. The regulations also allow for the review of existing rates of payment for female employees in roles traditionally held by men and provide for the continuation of pending applications before the Women’s Employment Board as if made under the amended regulations. These provisions ensure a structured and fair approach to the employment of women in roles essential to the national security effort during wartime.

Key Provisions

The Regulations under the National Security Act 1939-1940 (C1942L00236) primarily amend the National Security (Employment of Women) Regulations to address the employment of women during wartime. The amendments include new definitions and the establishment of a Women’s Employment Board, which is tasked with overseeing the employment of women in roles traditionally held by men. Regulation 1 introduces new definitions for "determination" and "the Board," which refers to the newly established Women’s Employment Board (Reg. 2). Regulation 2 outlines the composition and appointment process for the Board, which includes a Chairman, Special Representatives from the Commonwealth, employers, and employees, and additional members appointed as necessary. Under Regulation 3, employers are prohibited from employing females in roles traditionally performed by males at a rate less than that determined for male employees unless they have applied to the Board for permission. The Board must then decide if the work is suitable for female employment, establish conditions for employment, including hours and safety standards, and determine the rate of pay. Regulation 4 modifies the review process for existing rates of payment for females employed in roles typically held by men, while Regulation 5 addresses the employment of females within the Department of Munitions and similar entities, ensuring compliance with rates determined for male employees. Regulation 6 allows for the continuation and consideration of applications pending before the Women’s Employment Board prior to the commencement of these Regulations. The Board may decide these applications as if they were submitted under the amended Regulations. The Regulations impose obligations on employers to seek Board approval before employing females in male-dominated roles, and on the Board to carefully consider each application, ensuring fair rates of pay and working conditions. Failure to comply with these provisions may result in civil or criminal penalties, although specific penalties are not detailed in the text provided.

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