Africans have "no interest" in work.

The wages of unskilled migrant workers employed by these three British companies have traditionally been very depressed. But many British companies employing urban Africans are also paying wages far below the poverty datum line. South African Fabrics. Courtauld's wholly-owned subsidiary, pays its unskilled workers in Durban just over $12 a week. Average African wages with bonus attendance allowance are just over $16. The P.D.L. in Durban is nearly $22. The managing director of S.A. Fabrics said "The African is a trainable chap, but he has no interests whatsoever in what he is doing. Consequently, productivity is very low. We tried paying bonuses similar to England but it didn't work. If these chaps earn too much, they just take a holiday".

Metal Box employs more than 5,500 Africans, at least 30 per cent of whom are paid below the poverty datum line. Mr C.F. Heilmann, the managing director, said his company was paying 40 per cent above the Government's wage determination for the industry. He also claimed that no employee, counting overtime earnings was being paid below the poverty line. The South African Tin Makers' Union disputes this. It points to a report published by the International Metal Workers' Federation last year which said that a graded worker with more than 30 years service at Metal Box was earning less than $10 a week.

None of the companies surveyed was prepared to discuss its profits in South Africa except in the most general terms. The average rate of return on British capital in the past decade was however, 12 per cent, the highest in the world after Malaysia. Slater Walker S.A., which is quoted on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, had profits of more than $3 million in the first six months of last year an increase of 71 per cent. Natal Tanning's contribution was not disclosed but industry observers estimate its annual profits at $500,000. Whites Portland Cement made a pre-tax profit last year of more than $1,000,000

More Wages?!! To squander on food and clothing!?!