COSATU's suspension calls undermined by farmers' dismissals and evictions

A Cosatu call for a return to work has been heeded in a number of farms in the Western Cape. The return to work message and report backs are still going out to workers involved in the actions and wanting to join the actions. There are however a number of farms where workers are refusing to return to work, and they may be staying out until the final agreement on the increased wages are finalised 

The return to work call under the agreement of the suspensions of the strike for 2 weeks, is being undermined by the dismissal and evictions on farms. Many workers who have wanted to return to work are now being dissuaded because of the evictions. We are calling on the minister and Agri SA to dissuade farmers from this action, which is just inflaming the situation, when all parties must be working towards solutions. We are further calling on Agri SA to abandon their racist stance in respect of dealing with farm-workers and join the negotiations for a solution.

The call by the Premier for the army to be deployed is an emotional call as the army cannot solve a problem caused by low wages and exploitative conditions of employment. The Premier no doubt wants the army sent in to teach workers a lesson, because the workers had chased the Premier out of De Doorns. We need mature leadership at this trying times not vengeful acts by slighted politicians.   

We will continue calling on people to return to work as COSATU and will pursue the agreement with Government within the timelines set down. We also call on the religious leaders in the areas affected to assist by discussing the growing social crisis in their churches on Sunday, and assisting people to understand the agreement that was reached.

Zille drinking at DA party

Premier Zille was seen drinking and partying at a DA function last night, while the Province is going up in flames. How callous can a leader be to show such disregard to the lands problems? Her call for the army is also born out of her desire for the army to teach the workers a lesson who chased her out of De Doorns .

This Premier must please pay as much attention to the poor as she pays for her make up

Statements issued by COSATU Western Cape Provincial Secretary, Tony Ehrenreich, November 15 2012

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