Employment conditions commission

Inputs from farm workers in Worcester

Workers and trade unions who attended the public hearing in Worcester indicated that the minimum wage should be pegged at R150 per day as per the demands of workers in other areas of Western Cape. They indicated that the current level of the daily wage is too little for them to address the challenges posed by the cost of living. They alleged that on the little R70 per day which they get, farmers still deduct for electricity and workers have to still take their kids to the doctor, pay school fees, buy groceries, and other household expenditures which they cannot afford.

A farm worker further alleged that if one looks at the minimum wages paid to them, it is less than what the farmers spends on monthly basis for his dog’s food. Workers also indicated that farmers can afford to pay them even more than R150 per day due to the fact that they export their production and make lots of profit. In addition, they indicated that considering the current level of the minimum wage, it suggest that farm workers should survive on R12 per day which is impossible considering the price of bread alone.

5. Inputs from farm workers in Limpopo

In Limpopo, Makhado workers indicated that they are still subjected to apartheid in the farms where they working. They alleged that farmers still call them names and that farmers do not even pay the prescribe minimum wage. Workers indicated that they feel that the introduction of the sectoral determination was a mistake by government because farmers say that it is the government that allows them to deduct for accommodation which does not meet the standards and electricity amounts which are unreasonable. Farm workers indicated that they support the cry by the Western Cape farm workers of at least R150 per day although it is not sufficient for them to survive on. They further argued that the buy groceries from the same shop where farmers are buying and they pay same prices for all the goods they buy.

6. Inputs from farm workers in Eastern Cape

In the Eastern Cape FAWU in their verbal and written submissions raised the fact that the “battle-cry” by farm workers for R150 per day is noble and needs to be supported. This will essentially mean doubling of wages if 21 days was to be used but most “permanent” farm workers work a six day week. The word “doubling” sounds scary but it is a doubling of virtually nothing. They argued that the R150 per day (assuming 8-hour day) demand remain a clarion call for members to raise during submission in public hearings.

FAWU pointed out that wages needs to be increased by at least R50 per day to R120 per day and not a R10 or R20.

They further expressed that in a post-minimum wages adjustment period, expedited talks must unfold in the creation of a nation-wide compulsory contribution-based provident fund for farm workers, both permanent and permanently seasonal, such that this part of the 2013/ 14 Sectoral Determination pronouncement and application. The same referred period must also address conditions of employment of health and safety and on leaves along with bonuses among others.

They also suggested that in the 2013 period, negotiations must be embarked on to conclude Social Plan, in which a package of measures and their financing as well as roll-out is agreed on for implementation in the 2014/ 15 Sectoral Determination and beyond.

One lady claiming to be representing her husband alleged that the proposed R150 per day will result in high job cuts. She further stated that she does not support the proposed per day increase and believes that should this increase be considered by the Minister, that will certainly mean hikes in poverty levels but did not put forward an alternative proposal on the increase on the current rate per day.

There were however employees who indicated that the public hearing process is a waste of their time since employers currently pay less than R1 500 per month and does not see how the R150 per day can be realistic.

7. Inputs from farm workers in Free State

In Bothaville employees during the meeting didn’t say much but indicated that they stand by the R150.00 which has been proposed by the union FAWU. They indicated that they are the members of FAWU and FAWU has made a written submission representing their inputs in relation to all issues. They further indicated that the R150.00 is still too little as compared to their basic needs after the deductions for housing and others. Employees also indicated their concerns regarding the utilization of the CPI to determine minimum wage increases as they believe that it doesn’t reflect the realities of the situation faced by the employees.

8. Inputs from farm workers in Mpumalanga

In KwaMhlushwa, employees supported the demand of R150.00 by FAWU, citing that it will make a difference in their lives as workers will be able to buy basic needs like foods although that doesn’t mean it will cover everything. They indicated that currently employees are earning way less than what is stipulated in the law. They further said that employers are still not complying with the law. They also claim that farmers are making money at the employee’s expenses by deducting for electricity and houses that does not meet requirements and when approaching farmers about unauthorized deductions employers respond by saying that they are paying in accordance with the sectoral determination. They proposed that there should be a fixed monthly salary, and the hourly rate and weekly should be removed as it allows employers to exploit them.

9. Inputs from farm workers in North West

In the North West, Ottosdal area, FAWU indicated that they stand by the R150.00 which has been proposed. FAWU indicated that employees working on the farms are exploited and they are not even earning what is prescribed by the sectoral determination. FAWU further indicated that the situation of living standards in the farms for these employees is terrible and needs an intervention. According to FAWU R150.00 is too little to address these poor conditions that employees are faced with. As in other areas, employees in general raised concerns in relation to the utilization of the CPI to determine minimum wage increases as they believe that it is not the realistic economic indicator for the farm worker sector as wages are still very low.

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