Jugoslavs May Stay In N.Z.

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31093, 23 June 1966, Page 3

Jugoslavs May Stay In N.Z.

(N.Z. Press Association) INVERCARGILL, June 22. The first group of Jugoslavian hard-rock miners brought to New Zealand to work on the West Arm underground powerhouse contract is expected to arrive in Invercargill by air on Tuesday night. There will be between 10 and 20 men in the first batch and a second batch of similar size is expected early next month. (.About 40 Jugoslavs have been signed up in Belgrade for two years’ work at Mana-

pouri. Each is a highly-skilled hard-rock miner able to take a key position in the excavation of the huge underground powerhouse.

They are from a part of Jugoslavia known for producing some of the best hardrock miners in the world. The powerhouse contract the Utah Construction and Mining Company, has been unable to recruit skilled workers in Australia and Britain. Extensive advertising campaigns in Britain attracted only four men. The New Zealand supply of skilled underground men was exhausted some time ago. By the time they reach New Zealand, the Jugoslavs will have passed through an intense security screen Which was erected the moment they answered advertisements placed in Jugoslavia.

The applicants were thoroughly investigated by Jugoslav authorities before their names were sent to the British Embassy in Belgrade which, at the request of New Zealand House, London, submitted each applicant to a thorough security check. They will be checked again by New Zealand authorities when they arrive. The men will enter New Zealand on a six-month visa and if they prove satisfactory will be signed up on a twoyear contract bristling with provisions for their deportation should they fail to comply with a long series of requirements. If the Jugoslavs complete the two-year contract to the satisfaction of the contractors and the New Zealand Government, they will be able to apply for a permanent work-

ing'visa, which could lead to eventual New Zealand citizenship for them. Their employment can be terminated and they can be sent home, at their own expense, for failure to abide by local or national laws, inability to perform work which they have represented themselves as able to do, immoderate use of alcoholic drinks, use of narcotics, failure or refusal to work or any act or omission involving misconduct. They can be sent home if they become incapacitated and unable to work or if the

contract between the Utah Company and the Government is terminated for any reason. To ensure that they are able to pay their fares home the contractor is empowered to deduct a set sum cA money from their wages each week until enough is saved to- pay their fares. If after two years

they decide to stay their money will be returned. They will be paid under the New Zealand award applying to the powerhouse contract and must become a member of an appropriate New Zealand union. The contractor will pay their air fares to New Zealand and an allowance for 501 b of personal effects and 1001 b of tools. They will be paid eight hours' wages and an allowance a ' day during their travelling time to New Zealand. The contractor will pay their fare home when they complete their contracts if they decide to go home. The Jugoslavs will be covered by New Zealand workers’ compensation insurance and will be bound by the regulations governing the insurance. They will pay tax in New Zealand.