1893 - State Library Information Center

FREE PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT OFFICES. 77cuss more fully and accurately the numerous questions whichinterest their trade or affect their wages. They will have fortheir guidance and instruction all means of information and correspondence,the resources furnished by statistics, a library withbooks on economy, industry and commerce, and the course ofproduction in every industry, not only in France, but in thewhole world."* The example of Paris has been followed byseveral municipal towns, and labor exchanges are multiplyingfrom year to year. The " General Council of the Paris LaborExchange," however, was dissolved towards the middle of1893, owing to the refusal of certain trades unions attached tothe exchange to comply with the law of 1884, regulating theright of organization of these unions. A statement has beenpublished u showing the number of applications registered andthe number of persons for whom permanent or temporary employmentwas obtained during the year 1891 by the trades syndicatesbelonging to the Paris Labor Exchange"; from which itappears that 37,142 applications were registered, of these, 29,429were placed permanently and 2,814 temporarily.The exchange had a central hall, holding 3,000 people, andlarge rooms in w T hich workers on strike could meet, committeerooms where syndicates deliberated, offices to transact businessand a library with books of reference and many newspapers.About 270 associations were privileged to use the building,which, however, as stated, at present is closed.The most important free municipal registry offices are those inParis; those outside the Department of the Seine, with theexception of that at Bordeaux, being comparatively unimportant.They are established in the various districts of PariB (Arrondissement)and supported by a subsidy from the municipal council,being generally managed by two officials, who receive a smallsalary and are under exclusive official supervision of a Committeeof Control. Registration of applications for work takes place onpresentation of a document stating the address, together withcertificates, work-books and references of candidates. In addition,for the greater convenience of employers, a desk is put intho waiting-room on which are placed printed forms to be filled* Report of Labor Commission, 1886.