Farmworkers on strike in Ventersdorp

[Adrianax]

https://citizen.co.za/uncategorized...-strike-in-ventersdorp/#.Wa7_3KfLRP0.facebook

The union wants the employer to compensate the families of three workers who died on duty.

At least 123 farmworkers are on strike in Ventersdorp, in the North West, over union recognition and wages, the SA Federation of Trade Union (Saftu) said on Tuesday.

“This strike was exacerbated by the arrogance and intransigent behaviour of the bosses by denying farmworkers their basic and fundamental rights as enshrined in the Constitution,” Puseletso Molise, Saftu North West provincial convenor told reporters.

“It remains Saftu’s view that the demands of workers remain non-negotiable, despite our affiliate’s [Nupsaw] attempt to engage the employer since the beginning of 2017 to address these pressing questions whereby workers continue to be abused, exploited, harassed and assaulted by farm owners.”

The workers downed tools at Doornplaat beef farm outside Ventersdorp on August 25, demanding that their union — the National Union Of Public Service and Allied Workers (Nupsaw) — be recognised by the employer.

He said a series of letters were sent to Doornplaat farm but were not responded to.

“Nupsaw was left with no option but to embark on a strike to force compliance, and this took place after Nupsaw was issued with a strike certificate by CCMA [Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration].”

The union further wanted the employer to compensate the families of three workers who died on duty.

“A worker was killed by a cow in 2015 and a case was open and inquest docket was opened to date no one had appeared in a court of law. Another was once again killed by ploughing machine and once again an inquest was opened to date nothing has come forth to the administration of justice,” it said.

“Another worker was also killed by a tractor, the three deceased families were never compensated by the employer, in which the farm bosses denounced the worker, and declared that they don’t know that worker.”

Farmworkers filled the Ventersdorp municipality chambers during the media briefing and painted a gloomy picture of labour law violation at the farm.

They said they work for 12 hours a day and were not paid overtime, had no leave or sick leave days. If they were off sick, R1000 was deducted from their salary, resulting in many workers to report for duty even when they were sick.

The union planned to stage a protest march to the farm in an attempted to force the employer to accede to their demand.

 

[Ninja'd]

A worker was killed by a cow in 2015

 

[Adrianax]

The cow has to be arrested and charged. We are all equal in the eyes of the law. He needs to be afforded the opportunity to give his side of the story.

 

[konfab]

It remains Saftu’s view that the demands of workers remain non-negotiable, despite our affiliate’s [Nupsaw] attempt to engage the employer since the beginning of 2017 to address these pressing questions whereby workers continue to be abused, exploited, harassed and assaulted by farm owners.”

They said they work for 12 hours a day and were not paid overtime, had no leave or sick leave days. If they were off sick, R1000 was deducted from their salary, resulting in many workers to report for duty even when they were sick.

I don't buy it.

They could have hauled their employer to the CCMA then the labour court for that.

Either the employees are lying through their teeth, or the union isn't doing its job.

 

[skeptic_SA]

Apparently there's a brilliant dairy farm in Vrede looking for staff. Run along...

 

[Seriously]

Cry me a lying river. Then fire them.

 

[Seriously]

Apparently there's a brilliant dairy farm in Vrede looking for staff. Run along...

I would like to volunteer but then my life would probably be in danger due to their culture of doing things.

 

[ForceFate]

View attachment 461311

The cow has to be arrested and charged. We are all equal in the eyes of the law. He needs to be afforded the opportunity to give his side of the story.

Before you make a joke about something this tragic, ask yourself if incident isn't related to negligence or poor conditions workers are subjected/exposed to.

 

[Seriously]

Before you make a joke about something this tragic, ask yourself if incident isn't related to negligence or poor conditions workers are subjected/exposed to.

Or maybe just ignorance and negligence by the workers not following rules and instructions?

It can go and be seen any way depending on the bias in the eyes of the beholder. Especially those that seems to believe that all white farmers are racist exploiters of the land and it's people.p

 

[grok]

Before you make a joke about something this tragic, ask yourself if incident isn't related to negligence or poor conditions workers are subjected/exposed to.

Revenge of the pigs, the cows had family on Duarte's farm..

 

[Adrianax]

Before you make a joke about something this tragic, ask yourself if incident isn't related to negligence or poor conditions workers are subjected/exposed to.

Because it was a blackman, let us not automatically blame conditions on the farm on white people. This may well have been negligence from the victim. Hence the reason that nothing came from this. The unions are unreasonable. So are the workers.