HC Deb 10 March 1959 vol 601 c1074
19. Mr. Pargiter

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the average weekly wage paid to Africans working on the Kariba dam scheme in Northern Rhodesia; what were the causes of the recent strike; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

41s. 3d., exclusive of food and quarters. On 25th February the workers on the north bank struck in support of the demand of underground workers on the south bank. The majority returned to work the next day, though 150 out of 730 elected to be repatriated by the employers, as did 38 Northern Rhodesian Africans employed on the south bank.

Mr. Pargiter

Does not the hon. Gentleman consider that the wages paid for this particular job are disgracefully low, having regard to the value of the work and the benefit to the whole country? Ought not the people doing the work to be paid much higher wages than are paid at present?

Mr. Amery

In the light of local conditions and local comparisons, I do not think that they are unfair.

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