S. African labour policy defended

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33189, 31 March 1973, Page 15

S. African labour policy defended

(N Z Press Assn.—Copyright) i LONDON, March 30. I The United KingdomSouth Africa Trade Association has hit back at critics who allege British exploitation of black labour in South Africa. The association, which has many member firms with subsidiaries in South Africa, said it would be a disaster to withdraw British money there, because British firms were often paying more than the average in the icountry and setting up training schemes to increase the skills of black workers. The association did a survey 'nto wages and fringe benefits in South Africa a vear ago. It found that many British subsidiaries paid better than average.

But, it admits, “at the lower end of the scale, the| wages are somewhat below the over-all subsistence level; [which has been generally [accepted.” [ The association said its 'recommendation to members [to use their influence to [boost wages to subsistence [level had had a sympathetic [response. [ It said, though, that the i productivity of these lower[paid workers was inadequate [and it was often necessary [to employ two workers to [do the work of one. [ The association attacked [the job reservation and wage [limits imposed by the South African Government and the [white trade unions as a [“grave deterrent to the [social and economic advancement of black workers” and industrial growth. It said that the sheer I force of economics would Ibreak this barrier down.