Day 302 - 18 Nov 96 - Page 23
1 MR. JUSTICE BELL: But did we know anything about whether --
2 you say it is not fair to make people work such long hours
3 at such a young age -----
4
5 MR. MORRIS: Well, I think it is not fair to allow people-----
6
7 MR. JUSTICE BELL: You actually say that, do you, the 18
8 year-olds-----?
9
10 MR. MORRIS: I think so, that is probably protection because
11 some people have to be protected from themselves. If they
12 are very inexperienced and vulnerable people, the whole
13 point of having policies or laws or-----
14
15 MR. JUSTICE BELL: I just want to know what you say.
16
17 MR. MORRIS: To set some guidelines, standards.
18
19 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Let us say it was a fit young man or woman
20 who wanted to work as many hours as they could get, would
21 you still say it was unfair to allow them to work 96 hours
22 a week?
23
24 MR. MORRIS: The company policy is that no one should work over
25 39 hours.
26
27 MR. JUSTICE BELL: I know that, I just want to know whether
28 that is something you would criticise.
29
30 MR. MORRIS: I think they should have higher wages so they do
31 not need to knock themselves out.
32
33 MR. JUSTICE BELL: I have got that point absolutely. I think
34 there are other ramifications
35
36 MR. MORRIS: I don't think people should be allowed to work
37 overtime. I think people should be paid... It is
38 different if you are a professional.
39
40 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Let us break it down. I understand your
41 point. It is unfair to let them do that without paying
42 them something to compensate them for the extra long hours,
43 and whatever.
44
45 MR. MORRIS: That is another thing, just if they do do it they
46 should be compensated.
47
48 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Let us go back to square one. Do you go as
49 far as saying, whatever the pay it would be unfair to let
50 them work 96 hours?
51
52 MR. MORRIS: Right. I will give you what my view is. I don't
53 think anyone should have any pressure of any kind put on
54 them to work overtime. And pressure can be... The main
55 pressure is economic pressure, that people need the money.
56 So people should be compensated within normal working hours
57 to receive enough to live on. Now, that is the first
58 thing. Secondly, this must particularly apply to
59 vulnerable people -----
60
