The Commonwealth. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1911-1914, 1914-01-15
THE PROGRESS OF UNEM.
PLOYMENT INSURANCE
IN EUROPE.
lrontlnned ION LasL WeekD

under given conditions, the state must
and the municipal authorities may
make grants to unions paying unem-
ployment benefit to their members.
The municipal grant must not exceed
one-third of the combined total of the
members contributions and the state
grant. The state grant equals half
the combined total of the municipal
grant and the members contributions.
In 1911 there were 81 societies recog-
nized by the state with a membership
of 1O5,161, 59S per cent of male work
ers and 212 per cent of female work
ers were insured against the effects
of unemployment. In this year the
state made a grant of 972,500 Sh. to
which must be added the municipal
grants of 352,5OO shillings. The
amount paid out was 2,195,OOO shill-
ings.
ENGLAND-An important step has
been taken in this matter. At the end
OF 1911 a law for compulsory insur.
ance against unemployment was pass
ed. This law came into force in July,
1912. Two and half million persons,
chiefly building workers and mechan-
les, are covered by the act. Insured
persons pay I'd to which the employ
er adds I'd and the state adds 1 I'D.
The benefit amounts to or Z shill-
ings a week for period of 10 weeks
per year. The trades unions manage
the insurance of their members. From
January to June, 1918, $4,000 claims
were made and 235,OOO pounds were
paid out as benefit The income
workers and employers contributions
amounted to 100000 pounds.
FINLAND-A committee was recent
1y appointed to inquire into the ques-
tion of national unemployment insur.
ance. A scheme has already been pub
lished. The Client system has been
adopted in Hammerfors municipal
subsidies.)
FRANCE-A sum is regularly fixed
by the Budget to be divided among
the various unemployment funds in
proportion to the amount of unem-
ployment in separate trades. In addi-
ton eight departments and AZ towns
have made grants to the workers or
CARNATIONS. Thus there are about
10000 francs available and the total
number of insured persons is $4,000.
ITALY-The Client system has
been adopted in some towns. law
is now in course of preparation which
will provide for state subsidy.
LUXENBURG-Sta grants are
made. The town of Luxembourg also
assists eight funds for skilled workers
NETHERLANDS are 80
municipal officers for unemployment
insurance These exist to supplement
the benefits granted by the trade
unions. Legislation for national in
surance is being prepared.
NORWAY-Since 1906, a law has
been in force providing insurance Of
fees which act on behalf of the state
and municipalities. This scheme COW
ers $4,000 workers and 5000 perman-
ent employees. The state provides one
third of the benefits granted and the
municipality in which the benefit is
granted provides the other two-thirds.
SWEDEN-Many legislative propo-
sails have been made relating to the
question of substituting insurance Of
fees, but they have all come to grief
because of the opposition of the mem
bers of parliament representing agri-
cultural districts. In 1912, a national
unemployment insurance fund was
established for seamen.
SWITZERLAND-There are various
schemes. In Bern there is munich
pal fund. The Cantons st. Gallen
and Basic have legislation which
meets the case. In Canton Geneva a
subsidy from the state is granted to
the trades unions funds. Similar
grants are made in the Canton Appen-
zell In the Canton Neuchatel com
pulsory insurance is about to be in
stituted for workers in the watch MAX
ing industry and those who are eng7g-
ed in scientific instrument making
The benefit is francs for unmarried
men and IL francs for married men
per day and 1 10 francs for female
workers.
SPAIN-Legislativ measures are
about to be introduced
GERNANY-At present there are II
municipal insurance funds. 'Strass-
burg took the first steps IN 1906 BY
making grants 10 the unions which
had unemployment funds. Other towns
quickly followed Ten out Of eleven
towns make grants 70 unions a above.
The grants vary between 80 per cent
and so per cent Of the benefit Spe-
ciai schemes also exist Cor increasing
the benefits Of those Who paw into