In our so-called "affluent! society there are pockets of workers living under worse conditions than serfs under the feudal, or slaves under the slavery system. One such group was disclosed by Hast Ham branch of the NUR when they discussed the question of men who came to this country from such places as the West Indies to work on the railways > and London Transport, and have not seen their wives and families for many years. Railway workers Yecruited from overseas have to keep two hones an wages that the N.U.R. claim are thirteen per cent below those paid to other industrial workers, Applications for special extended leave are not always granted. How much hardship is endured in saving for such a visit ? East Ham branch have asked the N.U.R. to negotiate with the management an agreement whereby any railwayman, whose home country is not within a fortnight's travelling time from Britain, be allowed to bank his annual leave, for the purposes of subsequently spending a holiday in his native land.
—\