Probably no avowedly capitalist country conrols its labor market to the same degree as South Africa. Statutory job reservation by race has been eroded by economic forces, but customary discrimination remains widespread. State restrictions on freedom of movement continue to hinder Africans in particular from selling their labor freely. A brief historical review of this legislation is followed by consideration of the agricultural labor market in relation to current developments in white farming, and of the role and changing perspectives of the mining companies as employers. The implications of recent changes in government control over the labor market, and their effects on the source areas are examined.
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