The Chronicle

BULAWAYO, Friday, July 21, 1967 — Frequent criticism of shoddy and expensive Rhodesian clothing is partly the fault of “colonial mentality” regulations governing the industry.

These regulations provided little incentive for factory operatives, Mr C Greenfield, a clothing manufacturer in Bulawayo, said yesterday.

Mr Greenfield, who resigned from the Matabeleland Clothing Manufacturers’ Association some years ago in protest at what he termed their “sterile approach to some problems,” has urged a new look at grading operatives in clothing factories.

At present the industrial council for the clothing industry lays down minimum wages and grades operatives according to length of service.

Mr Greenfield has suggested that employers should grade operatives initially with a right of appeal open to the NIC by the operative.

He also hoped the NIC would introduce certificates to be given to variously graded operators on the basis of proficiency.

“If the employer is allowed to grade his operatives the staff will realise they do not have to wait a year before moving automatically up to the next grade,” said Mr Greenfield.

“They will give everything they have to better the product and increase productivity if they know they can move up into a better-paid grade before sitting out their year.”

As an example of how incentives were lacking for operatives, Mr Greenfield cited men who marked in by template and cut cloth into shapes, who were bracketed in the same grade as cleaners.