Conditions on farms probed
Some employees worked without protective clothing and safety equipment, injuries on duty were not reported to the department of labour, and salaries were less than the minimum wage.
MBOMBELA – Premier Mr David Mabuza announced this week that his office would establish a coordinating structure to oversee government initiatives addressing farm dweller’s needs.
This was in response to the Commission of Enquiry’s recommendation.
Also read: Government attempts to improve rural living
The commission into the socio-economic conditions of people who live on farms was set up by Mabuza in 2015.
The investigative report was handed to the premier on Wednesday. The commission’s chairman, Adv Gerhard Louw, said they found similar problems in all the places they visited throughout the province.
It recommended that the state address farm dwellers’ need for adequate and affordable levels of basic services.
The commission conducted
10 hearings and consulted 12 public-sector organisations. It looked into safety and security as well as access to housing, basic services, quality education and primary health care.
It found that some employees worked without protective clothing and safety equipment, injuries on duty were not reported to the department of labour, and salaries were less than the minimum wage.
Also read: Government promises big support to emerging farmers
According to the report, many farm labourers lack secure access to land, agricultural inputs, skills development and markets, which are essential to their ability to generate an income from agricultural production and food security.
They also lack resources and support from departments, which could enable them to use the land productively.
Despite the promulgation of the Extension of Security of Tenure Act of 1997 and the Labour Tenant Act of 1996, a significant proportion of farm dwellers still face insecure tenure and other forms of land- rights violation, including eviction from their homes.
Mabuza said the recommendations would be implemented. “All of us are directly involved, hence I have called all MECs and the heads of departments.We will be working on how we can better solve the issues,” he said.
Mabuza added that implementing the recommendations would improve the province’s once-thriving agricultural sector.
