Farm workers' strike over!

The strike by farm-workers across the Western Cape and nationally has come to an end!

An agreement put forward by Agri-SA contains the basis of the accord that ends this strike. Agri-SA essentially commits themselves to:

Negotiations to be held at plant level; (Farm by Farm);

Negotiations will deal with the demand for a R150per day minimum wage;

Negotiations will also include a profit-sharing scheme, this given the huge amount of money made by farmers as a result of Exchange rate variations.

This agreement means that workers will return to work and join any union of their choice. These unions will negotiate with the farmers on the different farms. If no agreement is reached by 9 January 2013, workers on those farms will revert to taking action again by this date. This action will be in compliance with the Labour Relations Act, (LRA).

This agreement represents a huge victory for farm-workers as it sets the basis for new relations between farm-workers and farmers to build a more fair and just agricultural environment.

Until the processes at various farms are finalized, which includes the specific agreements to cover all workers, the farm-workers are under the protection of COSATU. Farmers are strongly urged not to discipline workers for their actions during the strike. Any unfair action will see a definite response from COSATU.

A Press Conference will be held tomorrow, 5 December 2012, where representatives from Agri-SA, the Department of Agriculture and the unions will make a joint statement. LOGISTICAL DETAILS WILL FOLLOW.

Statement issued by COSATU Western Cape Provincial Secretary, Tony Ehrenreich, December 5 2012

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