Green’s Dictionary of Slang

the labour exchange, the employment exchange, the job centre.

1935		M. Harrison Spring in Tartarus 105: I can’t go on the Labour, cause I ’aven’t been stood off. I’m on’y ill [OED].
1945		J. Maclaren-Ross Swag, the Spy and the Soldier in Lehmann Penguin New Writing No. 26 32: I’m off to sign on the Labour.
1958		F. Norman Bang To Rights 168: I did once hear of a geezer who was sent after a job by the Labour.
1960		C. MacInnes Mr Love and Justice (1964) 40: Frankie had paid his last visit to the Labour.
1996		N. O’Faolain Are You Somebody? 253: This woman was telling me the other day that where she lives nearly everybody is on the labour .