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.