Strike action returned to the Western Cape in South Africa this week but passed off peacefully and with minimal disruption to output, one producers’ leader has said.

Anton Rabe, chief executive of Hortgro and chair of AgriSA’s labour and social policy committee, told FPJ on the day of the strike on 4 December: “Most farms are working normally. There were strikers in some of the towns, but all in all. It shows that if there is not outside interference, then this action can proceed peacefully.”

High-level discussions were held on Monday to try to resolve the labour unrest in the Western Cape, during which it became apparent that dissatisfaction involves more than the minimum wage, with social concerns also needing to be addressed.

Rabe said: “We have told to producers to engage with their workers and negotiate at farm level. During discussions Agri Sa confirmed that the minimum wage is nothing more than a minimum, and that most producers are paying 20-40 per cent more than that.”

Rabe told FPJ that the information he has received points to “very limited impact” on sendings. He said: “My understanding is that during the violence two-to-three weeks ago, some of the key production practices could not be carried out, but producers have worked extra hours to keep up and so far there is very little effect on production.”

Other topics raised by AgriSA at the discussions with unions and government officials include that of performance bonuses, which the farm organisation believes should increasingly be used to supplement income, and that policies should be applied which can enhance agriculture’s profitability as well as the sector’s ability to provide good-quality employment opportunities.

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