Short week, old idea
JEREMY CORBYN suggests the British workforce should work fewer days for the same pay. This is perfectly sensible, but not a new idea.
I am a retired chartered engineer who worked on programming early computer-controlled machine tools in the late Sixties.
Back then, several machines could work away with just one person keeping an eye on them. technical progress now means whole rows of machines can work 24/7 without problems. This allows the company to make the same profit, or even more, than previously.
During my time as a Technical College lecturer in the early Seventies, I and my colleagues knew that, in the future, fewer people should be needed to produce the same goods and profits because of advancing technology.
Because of today’s technology, it is possible that five workers should be able to work just one day each per week instead of them all working a five-day week. Each could be paid a full week’s wages as the company, using modern technology, would make the same profits as before.
As a spin- off, the Government would get more tax income and pay less in jobless benefits. A ‘win-win’ situation. TERRY MULLARD, Dymchurch, Kent. I REGRET that I will be too long in the tooth to enjoy the halcyon days of a future labour government and its proposed four-day week, giving us a three-day weekend, plus four extra Bank Holidays a year.
Having experienced life in the hospitality industry, I often encountered customers — usually teachers or civil servants — pronouncing that ‘nobody works weekends these days’, while giving little thought as to who was pandering to their needs during these periods of inertia.
If the euphoric working lifestyle suggested by Jeremy Corbyn were to be implemented, what would happen to our farmers, for instance? Even if they could find the extra staff, would consumers be prepared to pay for the increase in food prices?
What would happen to our care homes? They are already chronically understaffed and it is hardly feasible to tell the residents to cross their legs for three days until more staff come on duty. Who are the people who come up with such vacuous ideas?
Charles Jones, Chester.