The industry body representing apple, pear and stonefruit growers in South Africa, Hortgro, has said the recent violence and strikes in South Africa is not primarily about wages or farming issues.
'It was instigated by people frustrated in general with not having jobs and issues related to lack of services and infrastructure within rural communities,' Hortgro said in a statement. 'We deplore the disruptive, illegal and criminal events of the past two weeks within the major production regions of the Western Cape.'
Hortgro noted that while agriculture is willingly playing a leading role in rural communities, specifically to improve both working and living conditions of farm workers, it is impossible and unrealistic to expect any single sector to address all the social problems in rural areas.
The organisation explained that it is one of the driving forces within the FruitSA alliance that is pro-actively seeking solutions to the many challenges and real problems faced by farm workers and rural communities. The SIZA (Sustainability Initiative South Africa) initiative is one example that was recently launched and received favourable recognition from politicians, labour authorities, trade unions and the trade.
'From these initiatives and results from third party independent audits required by the international trade relating to compliance with labour and related legislation, as well as ethical issues within this context, it is clear that many employers go beyond the requirements expected of them,' Hortgro continued.
From facts extracted from ethical audits since 2008 in the Western Cape, it was clear that 100 per cent of farms audited comply with minimum wages, Hortgro said. 'Of these farms, 77 per cent pay more than the minimum wage.'
In addition to normal skills development and training programmes, Hortgro explained that farmers have stepped in voluntarily to provide other support services.
The organisation said 74 per cent of farms provide free transport, 47 per cent of farms provide free housing, 47 per cent of farms provide life-skills and adult basic education and training, 37 per cent of farms provide crèches and after-care facilities for school children and 23 per cent of farms have on-site medical facilities.
'From feedback obtained from Hortgro members it is clear that many farmers have suffered extensive losses,' the group outlined. 'Farm owners, management and workers have been traumatised, physically assaulted and intimidated by forces from outside the respective regions. It appears that outsiders were deliberately bussed and taxied into rural areas which directly led to chaos and anarchy in many places. This left little or no room for stakeholders to amicably agree the way forward on an enterprise to enterprise basis.'
Hortgro said that it trusted those who have orchestrated these events and those that have acted illegally and criminally would be identified and held accountable not just before the law, but also in the media and by the public.
The group added that it sympathised with and offered support to both farm owners and workers for their suffering and the life threatening situations they had to endure.
'We will do everything we can to assist with the restoration of law and order and a stable and safe environment within which we can get on with doing what we do best – producing the best tasting, and best looking fruit in the world.'
