The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development cordially invites members of the media to a Farm Workers Indaba to be held at the East London’s Osner Hotel on 13 to 14 May 2010.
While a number of measures including legislation have been put in place to protect both farm workers and dwellers, most still do not enjoy basic social achievements of the democratic dispensation such as better wages and improved and fair employment condition, the government has noted.
There are other challenges in the agriculture sector regarding the welfare and wellbeing of farm workers and those challenges should be addressed. Some farmers continue to physically attack and illegally evict workers and dwellers.
Despite these challenges government is committed to the creation of an agricultural sector that offers a future to all those who are involved in it - an inclusive sector with the dynamic contribution by the workers and employers as the optimum aim.
The outcry from farm workers has necessitated the government to convene this summit to focus on the weakest section in the agriculture sector, which are the workers.
The government is looking for a joint strategising and development of common path that will be monitored by government together with other role players including farmers and labour unions.
The government wants to give the farm workers a platform to voice their plight and tell government what they have benefited since the democratic dawn 15 years ago.
Through the indaba, the government seeks to develop a common programme with clear goals, tasks and a programme of monitoring and evaluation - this programme of action will be done jointly with the farmers, workers, labour unions, local government and national and provincial departments.
Issues to be discussed include improved working conditions that include job security, access to labour unions and better working hours while social services like adequate housing, schools, healthcare and transport, access to water and electricity and access to social grants will also be discussed.
The indaba will also thrash out ways to protect the workers’ rights in the areas of both physical and emotional abuse, access to land and eviction while the empowerment of farm workers in areas like training and farm workers’ employee scheme will also be discussed.
The provincial government will be led by Premier Noxolo Kiviet and MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development while there will be senior officials from the national and provincial department including local municipalities.
Details of the event:
Venue: Osner Hotel, East London
Date: 13 and 14 May 2010
Time: 8h00
Enquiries:
Yvonne Matsheketwa
Cell: 076 868 7257
Issued by: Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
4 May 2010
