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

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