In an effort to stem the unfolding humanitarian crisis arising from the labour strife in De Doorns, Western Cape; the constituency MP, Dr Rob Davies said that a meeting to be held on tomorrow afternoon with unions and the local workers will be significant in determining the way forward.
He made the statement after meeting with the local ANC leadership, NGO’s, taxi-owners, worker leaders and members of the community providing social services affected by the ongoing turmoil in the area.
Minister Davies expressed his disappointment that the local farmers representative body had declined an invitation to attend the meeting.
The representatives present at the meeting were concerned to learn of comments attributed to the Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille claiming that the strike on wine farms in the area was as a result of ethnic tensions amongst workers. Dr Davies said that the meeting rejected this framing of the conflict and said that the strike is about wages, conditions of service and enjoyed combined support from workers in the area.
Dr Davies heard that the closing down of social services including schools and clinics in the area has serious health implications. He heard that often the only meal school children in the area had access to was at school and since the closure; there are concerns of starvation in the area. The Minister therefore agreed to approach the relevant provincial government departments to provide emergency support to the community and also to ensure that the social services resume immediately as the conditions for doing so have improved.
"This strike has also received international publicity and the reports of poor working conditions for workers will have a negative impact on the positive perceptions South African wines have begun to enjoy, especially over the last decade, Dr Davies said. He undertook to re-start a process of establishing a "fair trade" certification facility, allowing farmers adopting fair trade practices in respect of labour, socio-economic development and accepted and understood rights, to be certified.
In a bid to resolve the current impasse, it was agreed that a further meeting will be held on Monday afternoon at which all unions, workers and worker leaders will determine a way forward.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe, Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: (012) 394 1650
Mobile: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
Issued by: The Department of Trade and Industry
Follow us on Twitter: @the_dti
