FAWU and COSATU input to Portfolio Committee on Rural Development and Land Reform: On Land and Tenure Rights for Farm Dwellers and Workers – 20/ 03/ 2012

Economic Conditions: Massive levels of retrenchments over the last 20 years; Massive levels of retrenchments over the last 20 years; High levels of unemployment; High levels of unemployment; Most workers are not permanent; and Most workers are not permanent; and Many workers are seasonal. Many workers are seasonal.

Employment Conditions: Many farm workers do not enjoy the full benefits of the Basic Conditions of Employment; Labour Relations; the Occupational Health and Safety and other Acts; Many farm workers do not enjoy the full benefits of the Basic Conditions of Employment; Labour Relations; the Occupational Health and Safety and other Acts; Lack of government capacity to enforce legislation e.g. too few labour inspectors. Lack of government capacity to enforce legislation e.g. too few labour inspectors. Lack of enforcement of minimum wages; Lack of enforcement of minimum wages; Deductions from wages; and Deductions from wages; and Long hours. Long hours.

Employment Conditions continued: Difficulties in organising farm workers; and Difficulties in organising farm workers; and Hostility of farmers towards unions. Hostility of farmers towards unions.

Access to Government and other services: Lack of access of farm workers and dwellers to: Lack of access of farm workers and dwellers to: –Housing, land and housing tenure; –Basic services; –Healthcare; –Decent pensions; –Transport, towns and shops; –Schooling and training; and –Police, safety and security.

Access to Government and other services continued: Lack of access to Land reform projects; Lack of access to Land reform projects; Insufficient support for new farmers; and Insufficient support for new farmers; and Limited capacity of key government departments in remote rural areas. Limited capacity of key government departments in remote rural areas.