Farmworker strike ‘is far from over’

Published Dec 7, 2012

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Sapa

The Western Cape farmworker strike about labour conditions was far from over, a coalition claiming to represent farmworkers said yesterday.

“We reject the ‘secret deal’ entered into between the ANC government and Cosatu at the expense of the poor,” said Farmworkers’ Strike Coalition head Mario Wanza.

“Cosatu did not have a mandate to act on behalf of the coalition and to conclude an agreement in the name of AgriSA.”

The coalition originally consisted of Cosatu, non-unionised workers in Zolani, Bonnievale, De Doorns, Worcester, Robertson and Nkubela, and organisations such as Women on Farms, Sikhula Sonke and the Black Association of the Wine and Spirit Industry.

However, at a meeting in Stellenbosch on Wednesday evening, the coalition decided to kick out Cosatu, because it had failed to attend meetings.

“People are back at work, but we’re now going to all the farming towns and farms to get people prepared, and we will rally on December 16 in Robertson or Worcester, deciding where to go from there,” Wanza said.

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