the struggle of African workers Last October the TUC sent a delegation led by Vic (now Lord) Feather to South Africa to 'enquire into the arly of African workers."
The first and obvious question is minister, should receive this delega tion just a lew months after he had refused entry to the Parliamentary Government to investigate the belowpoverty wages paid to black workers.
The answer is to be found in the history of the TUC's involvement in colonial and semi-colonial countries, It has consistently played a reactionary role, advocating class collaboration and servility to British imperialism.
The report on South Africa is no exception, Instead of tackling the problem of how to assist the struggles of black workers against the repressive regime, the report appeals directly to the interests of sections of the white ruling class:
"We urge employers to show courage and determination in providing facilities and assistance to black unions in over.
coming the many obstacles which stand "Recognition of such trade unions organisation of trade unions, particul- ful and we see no reason why recognition at tactory or company sercie not unawshould do anything but good to industry, indestrial relations and development. why Vorster, the South African prime and the interests of South African people in general."
"INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS' The concern for 'industrial prog Select Committee set up by the Tory ress rather than the interests of the black population runs through the entire report. In line with this orientation, the TUC does advocale a number of progressive reformsreforms which many South African industrialists are thenseives cager 1o see implemented, Allowing blacks to take jobs which are reserved exclusively for whites, for example, but which there are not cough whites to fill The TUC has consistently argued against the involvement of trade unions in anti-imperialist struggles, and has gone so far as to point out the role it has played in assisting British rule over the African colonics:
In 1952, when British troops were massacring Kenyans struggling for Photo: national liberation, a British trade unionist in Kenya was advising that *a trade union is not an organisation with political aims,"
The following year, the world congress of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions expressed anxiety at the present situation in Kenya', hoping thar a peaceful state of affairs will soon be re-established and that in the apply a progressive policy lt is little wonder that Vorster was prepared to entertain a TUC delegation!
views very aptiy 'On the whole the managements tended to indicate a tolerance for unions provided they were consolidated of associated with each other, particularly between the races, in the interests of responsibility, and some said they would prefer to deal with unions rather then to have the present situation.."
by the recent massive and well organised strikes of black workers. and it has become extremely important for the regime to build up a relatively affluent layer of black workers to channel the present struggles along trado union lines.
The TUC report effectively endorses this plan by encouraging the Trade Union Congress of South Africa to build up a burcaucratic CUCA meantime the British government will The report sets out the employers The employers have been shaken RESPONSIBLE UNIONS TACI
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This Thursday, 2 May, the TUC has called a special meeting of presidents and secretaries of its constituent unions to consider action over its report on South Africa. RICHARD McBRIDE explains why this is unlikely to be of much help in furthering