Cape Town - Some Western Cape farmers have agreed to wage
negotiations with unions, following a series of violent strikes.
Cape Orchard group chairperson, Gerhard de Kock who
represents 12 farms in the Hex River Valley at De Doorns said he had
invited 28 farmers to a meeting.
"I believe that the groups should come forward, as
they've indicated to me that they are prepared to talk about a settlement
deal."
Local union leaders were also at the briefing.
Unions, De Kock, and several other farmers, were expected to
attend the meeting.
On Thursday police used a water cannon, fired rubber bullets
and stun grenades in an attempt to disperse thousands of strikers who pelted
them with stones. The strike by seasonal workers to have their R69 daily wage
increased to R150 resumed on Wednesday.
The Bawsi Agricultural Workers' Union of SA's general
secretary Nosey Pieterse said close to 6000 workers were on strike in De
Doorns. Protests were also taking place in Grabouw and Wolseley.
The N1 highway at De Doorns was still closed to traffic on
Thursday.
Agence France Presse reported that 18 people were arrested
on Thursday, bringing the total to 62 this week.
Cosatu said the discussions were separate to
those they've had with Agri-SA.
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