§ 78. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what arrangements he has made to protect the interests of Africans from Nyasaland working in South Africa; and whether he is satisfied that these arrangements are working satisfactorily.
Mr. GriffithsBy agreement with the Nyasaland Government the Witwatersrand Native Labour Association is authorised to recruit a fixed number of Nyasaland Africans for employment in the mines. The quota for 1949 was 10,000. The method of recruitment and the conditions of employment comply 145W with the requirements of International Labour Conventions and include free quarters, adequate food and medical services and repatriation after 18 months work. The wages are clearly set out in the agreement between the association and the individual worker. The Nyasaland Government Representative at Johannesburg visits the mines regularly and maintains contact with the Nyasaland labourers. These arrangements work satisfactorily.
Other Africans from Nyasaland not recruited under the above arrangements make their way in considerable numbers into the Union. They are prohibited immigrants but nevertheless are able to find employment. The problems arising from this clandestine immigration are under consideration in consultation with the Governments concerned.