The majority of farmers and farm workers maintain good relations, and never before has more been done to improve the position of farm workers in terms of education, training, empowerment, and the creation of structures to represent their interests.
The foundation of our Provincial Government's approach to this issue is that successful farming is impossible without mutual respect between farmers and farm workers - and that stable farming communities benefit all who live in them. Our Western Cape farmers and farm workers have recognised this fact, and levels of cooperation and partnership between them have increased steadily - in spite of the drought and economic hardships (especially in export farming) over the past two years. This improvement has been driven both by organised agriculture (Agri-Western Cape, NAFU, Ubuntu, and WEKUFU), and by the Western Cape Farm Worker's Association.
There are exceptions however, in which abuses still occur. Reports from representatives of farm workers have identified up to 18 incidents of abuse in the area between Somerset West and Porterville over the last two years - with some repeat offenders. Our Government is determined to root out the last remaining pockets of intolerance and unfair discrimination in the province, and will act swiftly when complaints are laid. The greatest challenge that we face in addressing these problems though, is the lack of accurate and timely information. When abuses occur, farm workers are often unable or unwilling to report them - and it is critical that we create mechanisms that deal with this issue.
Western Cape agriculture is a model for our country, of how to improve relations between farmers and farm workers. Agri-Western Cape was the first, and remains the only farmers union in South Africa with a specific Code of Conduct to which its members must adhere. This would have been unthinkable ten years ago.
What we must avoid in the Western Cape is any action that seeks to exploit specific abuses. Tarring all farmers with the same brush, in a province where so much progress has been made, achieves nothing. It is far more important for us to work in partnership with farmers and farm workers to address problems where they arise.
It is for this reason that our Manager: Farm Worker Affairs has been appointed to engage with farm workers across the province. We are in the process of creating a more unified and organised structure to provide a forum for all Western Cape farm workers - a process which is receiving strong support from our social partners in organised agriculture. We are pleased to announce that regional conferences are planned for April this year, with a provincial congress to be held early in May. Amongst the important issues that these meetings must address will be properly structuring complaints, creating a database from which these can be investigated, and building strong farm worker associations in all five District Municipalities.
I have also requested our Provincial Minister for Agriculture, Minister Johan Gelderblom, to engage with the National Minister on the issue of farm evictions, after he has consulted with organised agriculture in the Western Cape. There are problems with the current law that prevents farm workers over the age of 70, or who have lived in the same house for more than ten years, from being evicted - with some farmers evicting workers in their late 60's or moving them to another house when they are just short of the required ten years. We will push hard for the National Department, in partnership with Agri-SA and organised agriculture, to amend these regulations with a view to finding solutions that are fair to both farmers and farm workers. I would like to appeal directly to farmers to act with compassion when dealing with older workers who have nowhere else to go.
Enquiries: Riaan AucampCell: 083 778 9923
