Share

Farmworker commission on the cards

Cape Town - Agriculture Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson will ask the labour department to take another look at minimum wages for farmworkers, it was reported on Tuesday.

Her spokesperson Palesa Mokomele told the Cape Times the minister would approach Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant to establish a commission on the basic conditions of employment for farmworkers and sectoral determination.

Grape harvesters in the Hex River Valley, in the Western Cape, had been protesting for a week over their wages, demanding R150 a day. Most earned between R69 and R75 a day, with R80 being the highest and only offer from farmers.

A meeting between the agriculture minister, labour department officials and national agricultural unions in Pretoria on Monday failed to resolve grievances.

Throughout Monday, Stofland informal settlement residents clashed with police. Twelve people were arrested. Talks between parties were set to resume on Tuesday.

According to the Business Report, a third of workers had already returned to work.

The Congress of SA Trade Unions has vowed to mobilise farmworkers across the province and country in a mass solidarity action.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.98
-0.2%
Rand - Pound
24.14
-0.1%
Rand - Euro
20.63
-0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.39
+0.2%
Rand - Yen
0.13
+0.3%
Platinum
911.84
-1.3%
Palladium
1,018.92
-4.4%
Gold
2,160.36
0.0%
Silver
25.11
+0.3%
Brent Crude
86.89
+1.8%
Top 40
66,252
0.0%
All Share
72,431
0.0%
Resource 10
53,317
0.0%
Industrial 25
100,473
0.0%
Financial 15
16,622
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders