Following the death of three farmworkers and scores injured in a horrific truck accident in the Western Cape on Tuesday morning, 12 December, the rights of workers have been brought to the fore once more.
One of the few who rushed to the accident scene, Billy Claasen, chief executive officer of Farm Workers Development Organisation, said it was sad that in this day and age, farmworkers were still being transported by a truck like “animals”.
According to Arrive Alive, the three deceased farmworkers were being transported in a truck along with 66 other farmworkers when it overturned.
Farmworkers’ rights undermined
He said he is frustrated at the lack of transparency from stakeholders involved regarding the accident which was a step backwards in coming up with lasting solutions to prevent such incidents from occurring again.
“The police are not giving us any information and I feel this is so unfair. We do not know the status of the people in the hospital and I found out on the scene that they were on their way to a farm from Wellington to Philadelphia.
“We have been speaking about the inhumane transportation system of farmworkers for a very long time. Anything can happen at any given time and so people must stop transporting workers on open trucks like animals.
“Government must put in place legislation that combat these things. We cannot allow this anymore,” he urged.
Meanwhile, the chief executive officer of Agri Western Cape Jannie Strydom said the accident was tragic to the sector and the families of those injured and the deceased.
“The safe transport of agri workers is extremely important to us as an organisation, and we hope that the injured will have a speedy recovery,” he said.
Accountability is needed
Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) provincial secretary Malvern de Bruyn said it was unacceptable that no one is taking accountability for the loss of lives and those injured.
“Once again, Cosatu calls on the minister of employment and labour, Thulas Nxesi, to enforce the ban on the transportation of farmworkers on trucks. We also call on law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate this matter to ensure that justice is served.
“We also urge the Human Rights Commission to investigate this matter as we are of the view that the rights of the workers have been infringed,” he said.
Western Cape agriculture minister Dr Ivan Meyer called on farmers across the province to prioritise the transportation of farmworkers.
“I am calling on farmers and producers who are transporting agri workers to ensure the safety of their vehicles and the transportation of their workers. Agri workers are key to the Western Cape’s agricultural sector.
“I am also calling for a full investigation into the circumstances that led to the death and injury of farmworkers. My sincere condolences go to the families and friends of the workers who have been affected by this tragic accident,” he said.
ALSO READ:2024: Political will is needed to fulfil agriculture’s growth potential
Sign up for Mzansi Today: Your daily take on the news and happenings from the agriculture value chain.
