An eight hour meeting between the Tina Joemat-Pettersson Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), the Hex River Table Grape Association and farm worker representative bodies, Black Association of the Wine and Spirit Industry and the Food and Allied Workers Union ended with optimism that a breakthrough would follow in the coming week.
Yesterday's meeting was a continuation of talks that began on Friday in the hope of finding a solution to the on-going labour in De Doorns in the Western Cape. The Minister left the meeting feeling upbeat that a resolution through negotiation was possible and that this was the only viable route.
"We are seeking a solution to this issue and will involve different parties in order to achieve this. We are going to everything in our power to seek a solution and are happy that, at this stage, we have parties that are willing to talk and find a solution through discussion," said the Minister.
The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration is assisting with the negotiations.
Tomorrow the Minister will meet role players including national unions and the national Department of Labour. The meeting will be held in Pretoria.
Enquiries:
Palesa Mokomele
Spokesperson for the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Tel: 012 319 7876 (PTA)
Fax: 012 319 6681 (PTA)
Tel: 021 467 4502 (CPT)
Fax: 021 465 6550 (CPT)
Cell: 082 904 1908
E-mail: PalesaM@daff.gov.za
