ANC calls for intervention for the sake of workers: ANC dismayed by Report on Farmworkers' Dismal, Dangerous Lives
The ANC in the Western Cape slams the ruling Democratic Alliance for dismally failing those that live and work on farms.
A comprehensive shock report from Human Rights Watch (HRW) just released contains damning proof of rife human rights abuses experienced by workers on the Cape Wine routes and farms who through their labour contribute to the billions of Rand the industry earns for the province annually.
These include amongst others primitive or inadequate housing that is unfit for living, unprotected exposure to dangerous chemicals and poor sanitation with a lack of access in certain circumstances to proper toilets and safe drinking water.
This is but another report that shows the DA leadership is not in touch with what expires on farms as that party is headed by the likes of DA provincial leader Theuns Botha and MEC for agriculture Gerrit van Rensburg, who as farmers / landowners both have vested interests in the industry, and repeatedly postulate to mostly defend the interest of landowners / farmers.
The Department of Labour's own investigation found too many farmers still break labour laws. Even organisations like BAWSI (Black Association of the Wine and Spirit Industry) have reported various abuses including sexual exploits of farm workers or dwellers.
"The ANC hails all those progressive farmers who go the extra mile to support their workers with benefits, housing, health care and even profit or share scheme for workers. Those that are now under examination are the ones that unconscionably enrich themselves at the expense of their fellow human beings who have to live with fear, abuse and degradation.
"It should come as no surprise that the HRW report found workers in the Western Cape are outrageously and illegally obstructed from forming unions. The DA (who openly sides with the bosses) is hostile about trade unions in South Africa. It is also noted that the province with such a wealthy and renowned wine and fruit export industry has among the lowest wages in the country. In some cases unscrupulous farmers even refuse to pay ill or injured workers mandatory wages," says ANC provincial chairperson Marius Fransman.
"There are also indications that too many workers are still evicted from farms at a steady pace without due process and for ulterior motives such as to prevent workers from gaining tenure rights. In some cases people are harassed by guards and dogs at night to get rid of them. Many evicted people end up homeless.
"The province needs more labour inspectors for the about 6 000 farms. Farmers also prevent surprise inspections from taking place as prior notice must be given of visits. This has to change.
"The ANC in this province calls on the DA in denial to immediately work towards the improvement of the conditions of vulnerable farm workers. We have long said that the party protects the interests of the rich minority.
"This is clear in the case of many Western Cape farmers who do not feel bound by the laws of the country and treat their farm workers like or worse than animals while being protected by the party that rules the province.
"The ANC calls on the national government (specifically the departments of labour and agriculture) to intervene in the Western Cape wine and fruit industry in a concerted effort to protect, monitor and enforce labour laws for the sake of poor farm dwellers. The ANC also supports the HRW's call to only support ethically produced wine and fruit," says Fransman.
Statement issued by Marius Fransman, ANC Western Cape provincial chairperson, August 23 2011
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