Programme director
Honourable president
Honourable Cabinet ministers
Honourable deputy ministers
Honourable premiers
Honourable General-Secretary of Congress of South Africa Trade Union (COSATU), Mr Zwelinzima Vavi
Members of the provincial legislature
The executive mayor
Chairperson and members of the Portfolio Committee
Chairperson and members of the Select Committee
Chairperson and members of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP)
Government officials
Our esteemed delegates: vulnerable workers
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
All protocol observed
Good morning, goeie more, sanibonani, dumelang, molweni!
When the ruling party held its conference in Polokwane in 2007, it was emphasised that our Constitution instructs the state to take action to ensure that the citizens of this country among others, have access to security of tenure and that those whose land was dispossessed by the Land Act of 1913, realise the restitution of their lands.
Regardless of our progressive laws, there are stark realities of abuse of workers and dwellers in some farms, forests and harbours by some owners and employees. These take place regardless of government’s good intentions to protect citizens with legislature.
Government has resolved to roll-out a comprehensive support programme with proper mechanisms to ensure sustainable improvements in the livelihood of the rural poor, farm workers and farm dwellers especially on women. Working together with progressive groups, it will also involve advancing and defending the rights and economic position of these groups and combating human rights abuses.
In order to get this right, the government, through the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, started with provincial Farm Worker Summits, to open up the dialogue with all relevant stakeholders. These included agricultural unions, Food and Allied Workers Union, various government departments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
The expected outcomes of the Summit are as follows:
- The national summit will adopt clear resolutions on government programmes targeting farm workers
- The adopted resolutions on government programmes will address five main areas:
- Social services focusing on adequate housing, provision of farm schools, mobile clinics and HIV and AIDS programmes, transport, water and electricity, communications infrastructure and access to social grants
- Working conditions with focus on access to organising and unionisation, determination of working hours and job security
- Secure tenure, looking at issues of illegal, racism and abuse, access to land for own needs by owners
- Empowerment focusing on farm workers' employee schemes and training beyond farm labour life and
- Cross cutting matters which include hotline for problems and the establishment of a database for all farms in the country.
All nine provinces held their provincial summits; all provincial reports have been consolidated into a source document that will mostly guide the outcomes of this National Farm Worker Summit.
Today, the voices of farm workers and farm dwellers will influence legislation and affect their lives in positive manner.
I thank you.
Source: Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
