The Women on Farms Project (WFP) has called on the Department of Employment and Labor to take urgent action to enforce labor laws protecting farm workers. The non-profit organization led a march through Cape Town this week as part of its Workers’ Month program, delivering a memorandum highlighting systemic failures in addressing labor violations on commercial farms.
Key Demands and Complaints
The memorandum outlines several critical issues, including:
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Exposure to harmful agrochemicals, with workers allegedly falling ill due to pesticides.
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Inadequate labor inspections, where investigations fail to interview affected workers.
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Unrealistic work targets, leading to unfair dismissals.
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Lack of compensation for seasonal workers during off-harvest periods.
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Unprofessional conduct by labor inspectors, with claims that some collude with farm owners.
Danile Samuel, WFP spokesperson, expressed frustration over the department’s inaction, stating that formal complaints—some dating back years—have gone unanswered. She cited cases in the De Doorns area where workers exposed to pesticides were ignored during inspections.
Seasonal Workers Left in Crisis
Samuel also highlighted the plight of seasonal workers, particularly women, who are forced to sleep outside labor centers overnight to seek assistance, often leaving children unattended. Despite repeated appeals the Minister has not met with stakeholders, even after admitting two years ago that the department’s “house is not in order.”
Deadline for Response
The WFP has given the department until 20 May to respond to their demands, including a meeting with the minister. The organization has vowed to monitor the hiring of 1,750 new labor inspectors, emphasizing the need for proper training and accountability.
“We will hold them accountable,” Samuel declared. “This is lived experience, not something we made up.”
As farm workers continue to face harsh conditions, the WFP’s march signals growing impatience with government inaction. The department has yet to issue a public response.
