Cape Town - Paying farmworkers in alcohol may be illegal but it is not the main reason for babies being born with foetal alcohol syndrome. This was the message brought to 300 farmworkers on Tuesday as they listened to speakers from various organisations and the provincial government on the dangers of drinking while pregnant.
Binge drinking during pregnancy is one of the main reason for babies born with foetal alcohol syndrome and not the “dop system”, says research done by the Foundation for Alcohol Related Research.
The Foundation’s chief executive Leana Olivier said: “This is not only a South African problem, but a global problem. You do not have to be an alcoholic, just a woman who drinks during pregnancy.”
Olivier said about six percent of South Africans have been diagnosed with foetal alcohol syndrome.
“According to our research, only three percent of women said they came into contact with the dop system. Some of the women tell me: ‘Do you know what it is like being the only sober person at a party? You would also start to drink’.”
Western Cape Premier Helen Zille said she wanted workers to come forward and report any farms that use the dop system as payment so that provincial government can investigate.
“Foetal alcohol syndrome is a very serious problem in our province. It is 100 percent preventable and 100 percent irreversible.
“We came out here because we wanted to hear directly from farmers and farmworkers on the matter and to see what is being done about the foetal alcohol syndrome scourge in Wellington.”
Zille added that the province has various clinics that are equipped to test if a child has foetal alcohol syndrome and women should make use of this service. They could learn how to use contraceptives properly .
“It is our responsibility to make sure it stops… We want to build a nation where the child of a farmworker can be the next president.”
VinPro, an organisation representing thousands of wine producers, as well as Fruit SA, shared some of the programmes they have initiated in their attempts to curb the scourge of foetal alcohol syndrome in Wellington and other areas across the province.
Farmworker Lydia Otto said women on the farm where she works and surrounding farms know about the dangers of drinking while pregnant, but they continue to do it anyway.
“I was inspired by what I heard and learnt here today and I hope to take it back with me and teach the other women what we were taught. They know what alcohol can do and I can’t tell you why they still do it.”
Economic Opportunities MEC Alan Winde said the foetal alcohol syndrome problem is one of the biggest challenges faced by the agricultural sector.
“We need to sort out these problems so that we can get into the market and grow the agricultural sector.”
Cape Argus