Green’s Dictionary of Slang

visiting the labour exchange/unemployment office to draw unemployment benefit.

1935		Thieves Slang ms list from District Police Training Centre, Ryton-on-Dunsmore, Warwicks 7: Next door neighbour: On the labour (drawing unemployment pay).
1960		J. Franklyn Dict. of Rhy. Sl.
1992		R. Puxley Cockney Rabbit.