Historical information

Ballarat Sustenance and Relief Workers' Union was a Trades Hall Council-sponsored organisation co-ordinating the self help activities of the Ballarat unemployed during the 1930s depression. (1935-1940)

Central Unemployed Committee was established in Melbourne by Victorian Trades Hall Council in 1933. The Committee was known to actively lobby against work for the dole schemes.

Significance

The file forms part of the history of "unemployed unions" during The Great Depression. It also highlights attempts by previous Australian governments to impose "work for the dole" on to unemployed persons in exchange for unemployment benefits.

Physical description

Paper in folder.