LV A FACTORY EMPLOYING ITALIAN WORKERS
0.04


MV POLICE GUARD AT FACTORY DOOR WITH ITALIAN AND SPANISH WORKERS
0.10


CU WORKERS GESTICULATING
0.15


GV PAN DUTCH ONLOOKERS ON OTHER SIDE OF ROAD
0.23


MV WORKERS WITH POLICE GUARD
0.27


SV POLICEMAN MOVES CHILDREN AWAY FROM FACTORY
0.32


SV GROUP OF WORKERS TALKING
0.34


CU FACTORY CLOCK PAN TO POLICE GUARD
0.38


CU SIGN 'INTERNATIONAL CENTRUM'
0.41


CU ITALIAN WORKERS CYCLES WITH PENNANTS
0.42


CU ANOTHER CYCLE WITH STICK-ON PICTURES
0.45


CU STICK-ON PICTURES ON CHAIN GUARD ON CYCLE
0.48


CU ITALIAN PENNANT ON CYCLE
0.51


CU INT ITALIANS INTERNATIONAL CENTRE
0.55


CU ITALIANS, TILT TO ONE READING PAPER
0.59



Initials KJ/S/JF/FW


SEE ALSO PROD. 6506/61

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: FILM FROM THE INDUSTRIAL TOWNS OF OLDENZAAL AND ENSCHEDE IN EASTERN HOLLAND, SEPT 7, SHOWS ITALIAN AND SPANISH WORKERS WHO ARE THREATENING TO GIVE UP EMPLOYMENT IN TEXTILE AND OTHER FACTORIES BECAUSE OF FRICTION WITH THE LOCAL POPULATION.

LIKE SO MANY DUTCH PEOPLE THEY GO TO WORK ON BICYCLES - BUT BICYCLES WITH A DIFFERENCE. PENNANTS AND GAILY COLOURED LABELS STRIKE A NOTE OF SOUTHERN GAIETY IN THIS NORTHERN CLIMATE. THE ITALIANS AND SPANIARDS CONGREGATE AT INTERNATIONAL CLUBS, WHERE THEY HOLD EXCITED CONVERSATIONS WITH MUCH GESTICULATION AND PORE OVER NEWSPAPERS SENT TO THEM BY THEIR RELATIVES AT HOME.

THEY ARE DIFFERENT AND THEIR DIFFERENCE HAS BEEN RESENTED. AMONG THE CAUSES OF FRICTION HAVE BEEN THE MANY FRIENDSHIPS FORMED BETWEEN FOREIGN WORKERS AND DUTCH GIRLS, WHICH LED TO FIGHTS WITH LOCAL YOUTHS. ITALIAN FEELINGS HAVE BEEN HURT BY "ITALIANS NOT ADMITTED" NOTICES DISPLAYED BY A NUMBER OF DANCE HALLS AND CAFES. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, SPANIARDS ARE FREQUENTLY MISTAKEN FOR ITALIANS AND TREATED ACCORDINGLY.

ALL THIS HAS RESULTED IN A GROWING FEELING OF UNEASINESS AMONG THE FOREIGNERS WHO WERE SAID TO BE CONSIDERING A MASS RETURN TO THEIR COUNTRIES. IN SOME PLACES THEY REFUSED TO CARRY ON WORKING UNDER THE PREVAILING CONDITIONS.

LOCAL FACTORY MANAGERS ARE DOING THEIR BEST TO ENSURE A SETTLEMENT OF GRIEVANCES SINCE THEY ARE FACED WITH A CRITICAL SITUATION. HOLLAND IS DESPERATELY IN NEED OF MANPOWER AND DUTCH FIRMS ARE RECRUITING AS MUCH FOREIGN LABOUR AS THEY CAN GET.

LATEST REPORTS SAY THAT THE ITALIANS, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THEIR COUNTRY'S DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATIVE, HAVE AGREED TO TRANSFER TO WESTERN HOLLAND INSTEAD OF LEAVING THE COUNTRY ALTOGETHER. THE SPANIARDS ARE REPORTED TO BE STILL UNDECIDED.