D.Phil. / The purpose of this study is to investigate the situation of the white labourer in the secondary industries during the years 1924 to 1933 on the Witwatersrand. This research is, however, not limited to working conditions such as wages, working hours and physical circumstances, but it also takes a look at the daily living conditions of the labourer. In the first place the study focuses on the secondary industries as milieu within which the labourer functioned. The development and growth of the secondary industries were to a large extent inspired and encouraged by the First World War, the mining industry and also urbanisation. These factors led to certain demands on the secondary industries that had to be met. The above factors not only contributed to increased production and: markets, but, also created much needed job opportunities for the inhabitants of the Witwatersrand. During and after the war the industrial growth was to a large extent without direction. The labourer also had only the labour union which he could appeal to. To provide the necessary order and direction, important legislation had been introduced since 1918 to serve as framework within which employer and employee could act. When the Pact Government assumed power in 1924 industrial growth was therefore not only further stimulated, but the government made a conscious effort to eliminate problems between employer and employee. Then a look is taken at the men, women and youth labourers.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uj/uj:13417 |
| Date | 03 March 2015 |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | University of Johannesburg |
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