After 30 years into South Africa’s democracy, the spotlight falls on the protection of human rights. According to leaders in the industry, although the country is a democratic state, it is still struggling to uphold the rights of farmworkers.
Paul Siguqa, the owner of Klein Goederust in the Western Cape, believes the rights of farmworkers are being respected. He is the son of Nomaroma Siguqa, who worked as a farm labourer, and said the culture on his farm is that the farmworker is at the centre of it all and that humanity, respect, equality, and empowerment are at the core of what drives his business.
There is a room for improvement
“The reality is that the farm labourer is easily exploited due to the economic dependence associated with the role. Working on a farm is usually passed down from generation to generation, and the cultural norms and traditions that stem from the apartheid era is still just accepted by farm laborers due to lack of education when it comes to the rights of farmworkers in South Africa.
“Also, that power imbalance between employer and employee – there have been improvements in many areas such as legislation and various empowerment initiatives but it is essential that we educate and advocate for the rights of farm labourers,” he said.
Siguqa suggested that ensuring fair worker wages, and better access to healthcare, education, and basic amenities are things that could help improve farmworker rights.
He added that addressing labour exploitation and empowering farmworkers through education, training, and representation can help improve their working conditions and overall well-being.
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“The democracy shortfalls when it comes to human rights of farmworkers are lack of representation, socio-economic challenges, such as poverty and lack of access to resources, which impact their human rights.
“Addressing these shortfalls requires a collaborative effort from government, industry stakeholders, and society to ensure that farmworkers’ rights are respected and upheld in South Africa,” Siguqa said.
Lack of information and awareness
Meanwhile, the president of the National African Farmers Union (Nafu), Motsepe Matlala, believes the rights of farmworkers are not properly or satisfactorily being respected, especially by farm owners and the government.
“The relationship between some farm owners and farmworkers is not what it should be. It is becoming much clearer that the Constitution and indeed the rights of the farmworkers have not been explained to both farmworkers and farm owners.
“If they were explained or taught, I am sure that the violence that is happening on farms would not be happening. The violence is from both sides,” he said.
Agriculture Food and Allied Democratic Workers Union (Afadwu) media officer Khayelihle Khumalo, expressed that part of his daily activities is engaging with the government to support farmworkers because of their vulnerability in the agricultural sector.
“Farmworker’s rights are still not protected in the working environment and the reason why am saying this is because the majority of farmworkers are still afraid to exercise their rights in the work environment because they are threatened by their employers.
“If ever when they try to join the union of their choice, they cannot because of fear of losing their employment and how this still happens still baffles me, so their rights need more protection,” Khumalo said.
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