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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Trade unions, migrancy and the struggle for housing
Author:Cobbett, W.ISNI
Year:1990
Periodical:South African Review - SARS
Issue:5
Pages:322-334
Language:English
Geographic term:South Africa
Subject:urban housing
Abstract:The issue of housing in South Africa has become a priority on the agendas of the State, business, community organizations and trade unions. This article describes the national housing crisis in South Africa, the current construction of urban black housing, and the challenges the unions have to consider in entering the housing struggle. It reveals a fundamental difference in approach to the question of housing between the trade unions on the one hand, and the State and private sector on the other. For the State and private sector the housing crisis can be solved through improved technical solutions, with political restrictions such as the Group Areas Act also on the agenda. Unions have to consider the issue in a much wider context, including the complex questions of housing and the migrant labour system. At face value, it would appear that the provision of family housing close to the place of work could reduce the extent of the migrant labour system. There are, however, a number of important factors to be considered in the provision of urban housing for migrant workers. Workers are being offered the chance to urbanize with only a portion of their dependants. In addition, many migrants work where they do in order to send remittances 'home'. Such remittances would disappear into bond repayments if the migrant purchased an urban dwelling. Notes, ref.
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