JOHANNESBURG, Feb 28 (Reuters) - South African builder Wilson Bayly Holmes-Ovcon Ltd (WBHO) WBOJ.J reported a 38 percent fall in half-year earnings due to a settlement agreement with the country's government, the company said on Tuesday.
* WBHO said headline earnings per share from continuing operations came in at 398.1 cents for the six-months ended December, from 644.7 in 2015.
* WBHO was one of seven construction companies which agreed in October to contribute a total of 1.5 billion rand over the next 12 years towards a fund to develop skills in the sector and give black South African workers a bigger role. The group's total order book decreased by 6 percent to 40.2 billion rand, partially weighed down by its Australia operations.
* The construction company declared an interim gross dividend of 150 cents per share, up 11 percent from 135 cents in 2015.
* Revenue from continuing operations amounted to 15.4 billion rand, in line with revenue achieved in the comparative period.
($1 = 12.9649 rand)