Chapter 286: Worker Transfer
Ernst acknowledged Mayne's dedication to rigor and precision in examining firearms. He emphasized that Mayne's more than 20 years of experience in the industry would be crucial in supporting the Mauser brothers' design work. Ernst was confident in their abilities to improve the Mauser-Norris Rifle.
In the Far East, at the Jiaozhou Textile Factory, Director Carlton addressed the employees during a staff meeting, informing them about opportunities to work in East Africa. Despite the favorable conditions offered, including food, housing, and the option to bring their families, no one initially expressed interest in going to East Africa.
Carlton explained that, as per higher authorities' directives and the factory's connection with the Hexingen royal family, the move to East Africa was mandatory for some workers. To select those who would go, they would draw lots, and the chosen individuals and their families would relocate.
Some employees raised concerns about the treatment and living conditions in East Africa. Carlton assured them that their treatment in East Africa would be stable and cost-effective, with wages higher than those in the Far East. He also pointed out that the local treatment was already beyond standard for similar companies in the region.
When a worker asked why they recruited employees from the Far East instead of their own country, Carlton explained that the treatment was generous for the local population but standard for the native workers. He noted that people from their country preferred other industries, so they recruited from the Far East. He also emphasized that the wages in the Far East were low compared to East Africa.
Despite their initial reluctance, Carlton's honest explanations made some workers reconsider. They learned that they could bring their entire families, ensuring their jobs and provisions in East Africa. This revelation changed their attitudes, and Carlton decided to select participants by drawing lots.
However, Carlton clarified that unless family members possessed specific skills like carpentry or masonry, they would work as ordinary farmers in East Africa. This detail didn't deter the workers, as becoming farmers in East Africa came with job security, food, and lodging.
The news of being able to bring their families and have jobs in East Africa excited the workers, and they became enthusiastic about the opportunity. They realized that life in East Africa could be better than what they were currently experiencing.
Finally, it was made clear that the Kingdom of East Africa recruited textile workers from the Far East to offset the growing Italian workforce. The influx of Italians had almost turned a planned textile factory in Nairobi into an Italian-dominated city. To address this issue, East Africa aimed to balance the workforce by bringing in immigrants from other regions, such as the employees from the Jiaozhou Textile Factory. These immigrants would be integrated with the Italian workers in the factory.