Cape Town-130204-Farmworkers in De Doorns had mixed emotions about the minimun wage increase, which was raised from R69 to R105 per day. Reporter: Yolisa, Photo: Ross Jansen Cape Town-130204-Farmworkers in De Doorns had mixed emotions about the minimun wage increase, which was raised from R69 to R105 per day. Reporter: Yolisa, Photo: Ross Jansen
Cape Town - Inside the Strand Towers Hotel in Cape Town, kilometres from the nearest piece of farmland, farmworkers and dwellers met government officials to discuss the difficulties they face on a daily basis.
The national strategic session, organised by the Western Cape department of Justice, follows closely on the heels of widespread evictions of farmworkers in the Rawsonville area.
Regional head for the department Hishaam Mohamed said he was satisfied with the sessions, which critically looked at the challenges faced by farmworkers and dwellers.
“A number of issues were raised, but our main objective was to ensure that we reflect on the legal and socio-economic issues they face.
“As a department, we will continue to strengthen our relations with farmworkers, and to improve their lives by engaging with farmers,” he said.
About 80 dwellers and farmworkers attended the session, said a spokesman for the department.
The aim of the session, which began on Friday and was set to conclude yesterday evening, was to work towards sustainable solutions for some of the issues farmworkers face, including poverty and lack of housing.
Deputy Minister of Justice John Jeffery said farmworkers were a vulnerable group.
A report published by the International Labour Organisation said that in 2011 about five percent of SA’s population still lived on farms.
Of those employed on farms, 65 percent earned less than R1 600 a month.
“Farmworkers and dwellers are the most exploited sectors of South African society,” said Jeffery.
However, he pointed out that the Western Cape, with its vast stretches of fruit farms, was an attractive prospect for those looking for employment.
He said that the province’s farms had been subjected to ethical trade audits for a long time and tended to be more compliant with labour, health and safety regulations. “They offer longer seasonal employment at higher wages than those in other parts of the country.”
However, he said the “farmworker strikes of 2013” highlighted that the province still had major problems, namely that workers were facing growing poverty and labour rights’ violations.
Over the weekend, role players brainstormed possible solutions to mounting tension on South Africa’s farms, particularly in the Boland.
The department of Justice, in partnership with the Foundation for Human Rights, plans to continue its project in the area, raising awareness around human rights issues this year.
keiran.legg@inl.co.za
Cape Argus