No agricultural wage deal yet, even in Clanwilliam

Yesterday's claim by Cosatu's Tony Ehrenreich that a breakthrough was achieved with a wage deal in Clanwilliam, requires clarification. An offer made by a single farmer, who is apparently highly dependent on the services of a large number of temporary workers during peak harvest time, was welcomed by Cosatu and portrayed by them as a collective deal with Clanwilliam farmers which could serve as a trendsetter for wider application. 

Our sources confirmed that this particular offer was not supported nor mandated as a collective agreement by other farm leaders and representative organisations of commercial farmers from Clanwilliam.

Agri SA consistently argued that individual farmers should regard the statutory minimum wage as a minimum and that they should negotiate higher wages with their workers at farm level, including that of temporary workers, considering all relevant circumstances which may differ from farm to farm. This has indeed taken place, especially since the start of the labour unrest during November last year. The Department of Labour was already briefed on the extent of such negotiations. The aforementioned "deal" should, therefore, be viewed as an example of such negotiations. 

Agri SA and its members, as well as other national representative agricultural organisations, remain committed to constructively participate in the formal review of the statutory minimum wage, as announced by Minister Oliphant. This process will have to be concluded in February 2013 to take effect in March 2013. Continuous engagements are taking place with relevant authorities to ensure an outcome which will serve the best interests of all stakeholders in agriculture and that of the country.

Statement issued by Johannes Möller, President Agri SA, January 16 2013

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