NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
WRITTEN REPLY
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES
QUESTION 616:
MRS A STEYN (DA) TO ASK MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES
Whether, with reference to the presentation of the Progress Report on the Implementation of Vulnerable Workers Summit Resolutions, her department has given any funds to the Black Association for the Agricultural Sector (Bawsi); if so, (a) when and (b) how much in each case? NW774E
REPLY:
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) recognized the vital role played by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the provision of services to vulnerable workers. The challenge was that there was no consolidated database on such non-governmental organizations. Hence the decision by DAFF to place an advertisement through national print media inviting NGOs, CBOs and Civil Society Organisations to register on DAFF's database. From this exercise BAWSI was identified as a human rights organisation working among farm workers in the WC. BAWSI advocates for the rights of vulnerable workers in the Western Cape. DAFF then entered into a signed two year service level agreement (SLA) with BAWSI. This was prompted by the release of a damning Human Rights Watch Report on the abuse of farm workers in the WC.
(a) Yes, DAFF gave BAWSI funds to facilitate interaction among stakeholders in order to address the plight of farm workers in the WC. The funds were transferred to BAWSI on the 8th October 2012.
(b) A sum of R4.1million was given to BAWSI as a once-off payment after the signing of an SLA. This occurred after DAFF had approved the work plan that outlined the expected deliverables of BAWSI over a two year period.
Issued by Parliament, April 24 2013
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