adminThe Rhodesian
Herald, 17 August 1956
RATES of pay for the Italians to be employed on the main contract at Kariba have been announced by Mr G Lodigiani, general manager of the successful tenderer, Impresit Ltd.
How do these rates compare with those laid down by the National Industrial Council of Southern Rhodesia for the building industry?
In the Federal Parliament on July 18, the deputy prime minister, Sir Roy Welensky, stated in an interjection that the Italians were to be paid the National Industrial Council rates.
Mr Lodigiani stated that his top skilled men would be paid 6 shillings and one penny an hour, plus £15 a month bonus and free accommodation.
Lesser skilled men would be paid 5 shillings, one penny an hour plus free accommodation.
The NIC, lays down for all skilled branches of the building trade a minimum of 6 shillings, two-and-a-half pence an hour, plus 1 shilling, three pence an hour cost of living adjustment.
In addition, when employed on an outside job away from his normal accommodation, an employee must be provided with “suitable accommodation,” plus 10 shillings and four pence a day for food, or the employer must provide free board and lodging.
The board and lodging, whether in cash or kind, does not affect the daily rate of pay which, with the cost of living, is a minimum of 7 shillings, five and half pence.
Mr Lodigiani has stated that his workmen are to get a 25 percent overtime rate (time and a quarter). The overtime rate laid down by the NIC is time and a half on normal working days and double time on Sundays and holidays.
In the building trade in the colony, most artisans are paid well above the minimum rate of 6 shillings, two and half pence an hour.
The NIC also lays down a compulsory sickness contribution. Impresit is to insure its Italian workmen and their families against sickness.
As far as is known, all work at Kariba is “civil,” even the housing project. Sir Roy Welensky, when asked to amplify his statement in the House that Italians at Kariba were to be paid NIC rates, said he had no further comment to make.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
Lake Kariba was one of the major infrastructure projects constructed during the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi).
The Impresit South Africa (Pty.) Ltd, an Italian company was awarded the main contract to construct the dam wall at Kariba.
When the tender was awarded, there was need to align salaries and wages with those offered by the Rhodesian Government.
The National Industrial Council of Southern Rhodesia, which is the equivalence of the National Employment Council, a duly constituted statutory body, in terms of the Labour Act (Chapter 28:01), oversaw issues like remuneration of employees.
More than six decades later, Government under the Second Republic and private companies are investing a lot of capital into major infrastructure projects like power and electricity generation; housing; roads, rail and airports; dams, etc. to ensure economy prosperity.
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