The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries working together with the provincial departments of agriculture and other stakeholders, are going to hold farm workers’ summits across the country starting from this month.
The objectives of the summits include among others: to provide a platform for engagement and dialogue among the stakeholders on issues pertaining mainly to farm workers, farm owners and farm dwellers, to develop a common programme with clear goals, give voice to farm workers and address the challenges they are faced with on daily basis.
The provincial summits will be held in all provinces and culminate with the national summit during the winter season. Among participating stakeholders the summits will include: Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), Agri-SA, TAU, National African Farmers Union (NAFU), the departments of labour and human settlements.
The consultations also seek to discuss the impact of the recent pronouncements by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) on Wednesday, 24 February 2010, granting state owned utility Eskom, an authority to increase the electricity tariff by 24.8% as from 1 April 2010, on agricultural sector.
The resolutions of the summits would be the basis for government policy and laws in addressing the plight of farm dwellers, farm workers and farm owners.
The first summit will be held as follows:
Date: 4 to 5 March 2010
Time: 09h00
Venue: Mount Amanzi resort, Hartbeespoort, North West province
For further information, please contact the following persons:
Priscilla Tsotso Sehoole
Tel: 012 319 7017
Fax: 012 319 7858
Cell: 083 265 8728
E-mail: CCO@nda.agric.za
Bonolo Mohlakoana
Tel: 018 389 5684/5719
Fax: 018 384 4571
Cell: 082 901 2435
E-mail: Bmohlakoana@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
2 March 2010
