The Compensation Fund, an entity of the Department of Employment and Labour, on the 18-19 September 2026 engaged the Farm Employers and Farm Employees respectively at the Anew Hotel OR Tambo in Benoni, Gauteng province. Present at the Workshops were Organised Labour, Governments Departments and Agricultural Sector stakeholders.

The objective of the Workshops were to strengthen compliance with the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA).

The Workshops also formed part of the Fund's ongoing commitment to enhancing awareness of the Fund's services and ensuring that Farm Employers and Farm Employees understand their rights and responsibilities.

In conveying a message of support during the Farm Employers Workshop, Mr. Somfana Molema, Director: Implementation Systems from the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development, responsible for Tenure Reform in the Gauteng province expressed gratitude and support for this significant workshop. He also emphasised that the Fund plays a critical role in protecting employees and their families against financial consequences on Occupational Injuries and Diseases, Disabilities and death arising from workplace related incidents.

Mr. Motsepe Matlala, the President of National Association of Farmers Union (NAFU), provided background on the formation of NAFU. He stressed the importance of good working relationship between Farm Employers and Farm Employees and urged Farm Employers to be compliant with COIDA.

In addressing the Farm Employees Workshop Mr Vusi Maluleke, Deputy Director: Employer Services said that the Farm Employees sector is still experiencing challenges as Farm Employers are not registering Farm Employees to the Fund. He also indicated that Farm Employees don't receive payslips, experience competition with migrant's employees, not trained or improve the skills standard, not receiving overtime and are not paid according to the National Minimum Wage which aims to advance economic development and social justice by improving the wages of the lowest-paid Farm Employees while protecting them from unreasonable low wages.

“Policies and Standards will be put in place to protect Farm Employees from unscrupulous doctors who profit through employee's injuries" said Dr. Farai Masukume, Deputy Director: Medical Services.

The Compensation Fund values partnerships and building relations with the Agricultural Sector stakeholders including the National African Farmers Union (NAFU), Agriculture South Africa (Agri-SA) and Government Departments, whose participation contributes to improve awareness and services delivery.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Teboho Thejane

Departmental Spokesperson

082 697 0694/ teboho.thejane@labour.gov.za

-ENDS-

Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour​

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