S.A. moves to cut apartheid in workplace

Press, 9 May 1979, Page 9

S.A. moves to cut apartheid in workplace

NZPA-Reuter Cape Town 1 The South African Government has moved towards ’ limited recognition of black trade unions, and has said it is prepared to abolish some apartheid laws that reserve certain key industrial jobs for whites. In a document indicating its plans for future legislation on labour affairs, the Government has said it also intends to scrap a rule that shops and factories must provide separate washroom and other facilities for people of different races. This came after a report by a Government commission of inquiry into labour legislation. The Labour and Mines Mimster (Mr Fanie Botha) faces stiff opposition from white, conservative trade unions in his decision to accept the commission report, but he has pushed ahead, recommending a change in the law to allow Government recognition of trade unions with black members. In the Government document, published as a White Paper, Mr Botha emphasised that recognition would be extended only to trade unions whose members were in permanent employment.

He ruled out such rights for black migrant employees, whom he called “temporary workers.” “In the Government’s view, the most important need of the day is to give black workers who are in permanent jobs, and who therefore constitute a permanent part of the labour force, access to machinery which was in the first instance developed for and is being utilised by South Africa’s permanent labour force,” the White Paper said. The document also said the Government was planning to do away with statutory job reservation — laws which prohibit blacks from holding key industrial jobs. The White Paper said the "closed shop” practice in South African industry would be suspended, but existing agreements would remain in force.

The practice is regarded by blacks as a basic obstacle to their advancement in South African industry, especially in fields where the top jobs are controlled by the all-white trade unions.

The Government paper did not indicate how soon changes in the South African labour scene could be expected.