Compliance in farms still a concern

Although compliance in the Western Cape farms is improving, authorities are still concerned with the rate it is moving. This became apparent following the Department of Labour’s farms inspections which started on Monday, 14 to Friday 18 June 2010.

Western Cape Executive Manager, Teboho Thejane says of the 226 farms visited only 103 complied. “Despite this being an improvement compared to last year’s figure, a lot of work still needs to be done. We want to see this 46% compliance rate improving commendably,” Thejane emphasized.

Releasing the findings today, Thejane said “contraventions found include non adherence to minimum wage as stipulated by law. In this instance, nine employers were caught. Another contravention was non payment of night work allowances by seven farms. The other non-compliance of note was that in some of the farms, employers apply 3 kinds of practices, i.e. 42 or 45 hours in the off season and 47 or 50 in the peak season yet contracts of employment did not make any distinction whether the employees are working a compressed working week or extended working hours.”

Thejane added that with regard to compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the inspection found that “some employers did not provide safe working conditions when chemicals are used as there were no adequate facilities. Some farms conducted a risk assessment that was not appropriate for the work performed. On certain farms there was no Fire fighting Equipment available.”

According to Thejane, undertakings were served for all contraventions found in a bid to ensure that the relevant employers rectify them. To monitor the required corrections, follow up inspections will be held from 10 to 13 August this year.    

Enquiries: Temba Gubula (Western Cape Labour Spokesperson)

                  078 735 8809

                  Page Boikanyo (Labour Spokesperson)

                  082 809 3195