Talks begin to resolve farmworked unrest

Against a background of
continued tension among
farmworkers – with worrying
implications for the perishable
export industry – negotiations
to resolve the wage dispute
and consequent unrest were
expected to get under way this
week.
This followed a notice issued
by the Department of Labour
calling on all interested parties
to comment on the possibility
of reviewing the minimum
wage for farmworkers.
Labour Minister Mildred
Oliphant also called a meeting
of the Commission for
Conditions of Employment to
advise her on a way forward
regarding this matter.
The process has been given
a stamp of approval by all the
interested parties including
Cosatu, Agri-SA and the
farmers’ unions.
The talks will be mediated
by the Commission for
Conciliation, Mediation and
Arbitration.