The economic and socio-political factors influencing labour relations within Iscor from 1934 to 1955

Abstract

Founded in 1928, Iscor was intended to make South Africa self sufficient in the
 provision of steel while providing employment for poor whites. Economic
 considerations prevailed when Iscor began replacing expensive white labour with
 cheaper black labour. From 1934 to 1948 black labour was employed to curtail
 costs. While being replaced by black labour, white employees' salaries and fringe
 benefits remained better than those of their black colleagues. Affordable houses
 were provided for white employees while blacks were housed in overcrowded
 compounds. No medical or pension benefits were made available to black
 employees or their families, while white employees enjoyed both. White
 employees were provided with what were arguabley the finest sports facilities in
 the country while black facilities were neglected. With the National Party victory in 1948 more emphasis was placed on the employment of Afrikaans speaking
 white South Africans at the expense of blacks and English speaking whites.

History

M.A. (History)