The Washington times., 1918-07-21
ITALIAN WOMEN
ARE ACTIVE IN
WAR INDUSTRIES

Conditions affecting Italian women
doing war work were reviewed by the
Central Commission OF the Economics
Social Union. which met in Milan.
The following report has been trans-
lated by F. Cuniberti, Of the Italian
embassy:
"a. Regarding the women workers
in munition factories, the many and
grave psychological, moral, ana
demOgraphie dangers. deriving from
the hard and prolonged labor
particularly at night. were considered
'sThe committee reiterates and in
sists on the resolution already unani-
mously approved to the effect that
desirable change in the hours on the
part OF the central authorities and Of
the regional committees on Industrial
mobilization.
Three Shifts n Day.
THAT the system OF three shifts
day be adopted, consisting Of eight
hours each, two OF each for the day
hours, when the women should be
Dreferably employed, and one during
the might from 10 p~R--to a NJ
wheh the men should be exeSnStvYiy
used. This should be done whenever
the special technical conditions OF the
work would permit In the m =antime
serious measures should be taken
everywhere for the protection OF the
health and morals of the women, In
compliance with the rules parttcu-
Iarly emulated by the assistant seere-
tary OF munitions in his recent cir
cular, taking especial care that In
every case be avoided in a most abso-
lutte manner the shifts OF women dur
ing the night
'B. With regard to the agricnl-
tural work, while the committee, ao-
mires the spirit Of sacrifice ard aone-
cation, with which Italian women
have so efficiently contributed and
still contribute to mitigate the dam
age deriving from the lack OF male
help, now exclusively employed for
the defense OF the country, IL Is TO be
regretted that in certain regions the
women are submitted to excessive
work with salary absolutely made
ouate. and the committee, therefore,
reminds land owners Of their social
duties, especially in the present Crisis
&C. The committee urges the Gov
eminent to protect, the women WORK
ers and to regulate an equal auoS
Iaent of wages which will have ci-
rect bearing On the highest moral ana
national interests.
II. The application of the principle
that wages should be equal for the
same work with eqpAl production
'.2 The minimum wages. whether II
be for agriculture or industry, which
it may be permitted to diminish at
least while the economic conditions
created by the war remain
81 The establishment OF an age
limit for work OF industrial charac-
ter.
I'D. The committee demands that
an indemnity or extra pay be consid-
cred, owing to the high living, whica
would be determined by the cost OF
articles OF prime necessity where the
workers are employed.
'.E. The committee urges the adop-
ton of provisions similar to those OF
other Industries subsidiary to the war
and offers cooperation for a better
employment.
Professional Aid.
an due time all female help will be
in the transformation OF industries
from destructive to constructive pur-
pose.
..F. The committee will appreciate
the professional assistance (that Is.
assistance OF professional men and
wonienl which may help in strength
ening the women workers in defense
OF their Legitimate rights and the
consciousness and practice OF their
more elevated moral duties toward
themselves, their families, and their
country at war"
A country worth hEhtinE Tor Is
eountFw Yxorfh aaNiug for. Inv sxar