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37
I continue to be perturbed by the unsatisfactory landlord
occupiers, who treat their unprotected tenants shamefully, and
persecute their bitterly resented controlled tenants, while at the
same time avoiding grounds for legal action. In certain cases this is
caused by sheer avarice, but in other cases this arises from financial
over-commitment or unwise house purchase. The whole field is
bedevilled by some highly unsatisfactory estate agents who appear
to be able to establish themselves in districts like this. I am personally
perplexed by the fact that there appears to be no difficulty or
formal requirements in the way of unscrupulous unqualified people
setting up in such a business.
A great difficulty in my work is getting clients to accept the
fact that as a Welfare Officer I am advisory only, and have no
powers, other than those of persuasion. I can only help people to
live with the situation that exists.
It is worthy of note that we have many employers who care
sufficiently about their workers who are newcomers to get in touch
with me personally to enlist my aid in assisting such employees who
have personal problems complicated by different backgrounds.
These approaches have the added advantage of providing an opportunity
for me to advise and inform on these differences, thus
promoting deeper understanding.
Unfortunately I have had complaints from people who feel
they have been the victim of discrimination from other employers.
What is more troubling is when the complaints emanate from young
people, some of whom have been here long enough to receive
sufficient education to have passed recognised examinations.
Making all due allowances for rumour, disappointments, undue
sensitivity, inadequate adaptability and inadequate qualifications
and abilities, etc., I seek ways and means for best dealing with cases
where some prejudice may exist. When I have investigated specific
complaints I have approached the employer concerned, but it is
always impossible to pinpoint reasons for rejection. The nearest
one gets to this is to be told that it is " the people on the floor who
would object
In an earlier report I drew attention to the fact that there were
newcomer men who were not accepting the marital or even extramarital
responsibilities for their womenfolk and children, which we
normally accept in this country, and that in fact' they would have
been expected to accept in their country of birth. I have had an
increasing number of mothers coming to me with problems created
by deserting fathers, or fathers who refuse properly to maintain and
support them or the children. I am still surprised by the loyalty and
attitude of many of these women who, despite extreme hardship and
unhappiness, are still reluctant to take court action where this is
possible.
It is, of course, always encouraging to notice that more unions
are being legalised by marriage, but the problem that arises out of
this is when the situation is complicated by children of earlier
unions. I have had a number of cases where the wife has brought
over children of earlier unions which her husband resents and is not
willing to support, and often completely rejects. An added complication
can be the attitude of such children, who are older and who,
quickly assimilating patterns of behaviour of school friends in this
country, are not then prepared to accept the man of the house as