Migrant Laborers Build a Dam in Switzerland

Far up in the Swiss Alps 400 workers are in their fourth year of construction on a huge three-dam hydroelectric complex designed to provide Switzerland with all its electricity upon completion in two years.

The multi-million dollar project--largest in Swiss history--is being financed by a Swiss conglomeration but built by foreign migrant workers. Although pay scales are adequate, no Swiss laborers could be found for the rigorous work, hence Turkish, Greek, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and Algerian workers were brought in for the mammoth construction job. All supplies must be flown in by chopper.

Johnnie Walker took these photographs last summer.