Minister will not meet farmworkers

Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson. File photo: David Ritchie

Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson. File photo: David Ritchie

Published Nov 10, 2012

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Johannesburg - Agriculture Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson would not be meeting with farmworkers in De Doorns in the Western Cape, her office said on Saturday.

“Joemat-Pettersson is not scheduled to attend any meetings in De Doorns today (Saturday). However, if there are any changes, the media will be informed,” said her spokeswoman Palesa Mokomele.

Mokomele said on Friday that Joemat-Pettersson scheduled a meeting for Saturday to seek a solution to labour disputes on farms in the Western Cape.

The meeting would follow ongoing negotiations between farm workers and farmers to reach a settlement agreement to end the wage dispute, she said on Friday.

Joemat-Pettersson would attend a meeting in Cape Town on Saturday together with ministers of labour and police, the provincial government, representatives of farmer unions and farm workers.

Farm workers in De Doorns began protesting on Monday, demanding wages of R150 a day, improved living conditions, electricity, and an end to illegal evictions, illegal immigrant workers, and labour brokers.

Earlier in the week, protests resulted in vineyards being burnt, a number of arrests, and the closure of the N1 between Touws River and De Doorns. - Sapa

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