Cape Town - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa says work to address the living conditions of farmworkers is progressing.
Answering questions in the National Council of Provinces on Wednesday, the Deputy President said government was engaging with all relevant stakeholders in the agricultural sector on a comprehensive approach to address the growth and efficiency of the sector, the rights and needs of farm workers, enforcement of labour market regulations, and adherence to the rule of law.
“As this engagement continues, the provision of services to improve the living and working conditions of farm workers and farm dwellers is being given priority. This includes the delivery campaigns being led by the Ministers of Agriculture, Social Development and Rural Development.
“This work is being coordinated by the Vulnerable Workers Inter-Departmental Forum, which engages with farmers and farm workers on a regular basis. Government is also working to ensure the full implementation of existing laws, regulations and sectoral determinations aimed at protecting and advancing the rights of farm workers,” he said.
He said this as the conditions of farm workers continue to receive top priority by government.
The Deputy President has been at the forefront of farmworkers rights and during his recent visit to Paarl in the Western Cape to meet with the farming community, he condemned farm evictions, and said the sector needs to be repositioned and set on a growth path where all stakeholders would benefit.
He said were initiatives that have been put in place to build capacity and provide support to farm workers and vulnerable households in farming communities.
“Further information on these programmes may be obtained from the relevant departments. The issue of freedom of association and the participation of farm workers and farm dwellers in the electoral process is an important matter.
“According to the Electoral Act, it is an offence to compel or unlawfully persuade any person to support or not support any party or candidate. It is also an offence to prevent any party representative, candidate or electoral official from gaining reasonable access to voters,” he said.
The Deputy President said work is continuing to address the specific circumstances of farming communities in the Western Cape.
He said government was hard at work with an aim of achieving the fundamental transformation of South Africa’s agriculture sector.
“That is a process that government is leading, but which requires the active and constructive participation of farmers, farm workers, industry bodies, communities and civil society formations. Agriculture is vital to the future of South Africa.
“It has significant potential to create jobs, boost exports, support economic growth, develop rural areas and ensure food security for all our people. We have every intention of ensuring that the agriculture sector in this country realises that potential.” – SAnews.gov.za
