Land reform proposals supported

The reports on land reform that was carried in the media last week is supported by COSATU Western Cape as a move in the right direction.

The historical hostility in the Agricultural sector between farmers and farm workers has its roots in the great land theft in South Africa. This has been compounded by the attitude of farmers towards workers and the fact that around 2000 000 workers were displaced from farms due to evictions, since 1994.

This hostility has seen a low level war erupt in the Agricultural sector of the Western Cape about 18 months ago and whilst the wage increases from the Department of Labour have brought a temporary reprieve, the underlying contradictions and tensions have not been resolved. Continuing tensions in this sector has a real danger of spilling over into uncontrolled anger.

Statement issued by Tony Ehrenreich, COSATU W Cape Provincial Secretary, April 6 2014

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