South Africa: Talks to end unrest finish without agreement

High level discussions were held yesterday on the eve of a new wave of protests by farm workers, to try and resolve the labour unrest situation in the Western Cape confirmed that dissatisfaction involves much more than minimum wages only. Various social concerns also need to be addressed. Furthermore, it became evident that the wage and related challenges are not exclusively, but mainly that of seasonal workers who have to earn their annual income over a period of a few months.

Agri SA, during discussions, confirmed that the minimum wage is nothing more than a minimum; that real wages should preferably and in most cases be higher than the minimum wage; that applicable wages be negotiated at farm level because practices and circumstances differ between farms; that performance bonuses should increasingly be used to supplement income; and that policies should be applied which could enhance agriculture’s profitability as well as the sector’s ability to provide quality employment opportunities on a broad basis.

It was noted that Western Cape producers’ ”cost to company” of labourers is already up to R100 or more per day in peak season, taking into account performance bonuses. Agri SA was requested that this should serve as point of departure for an interim remuneration offer. Agri SA reconfirmed its position regarding this, namely that no immediate commitment can be given and that the determination of a new minimum wage must be the result of a process in terms of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.

Agriculture thus stands before a choice that will influence and be of significance to the rest of South Africa. The big gap in social wellbeing and prosperity between communities hold great risks for sustainability that have to be addressed as a matter of urgency. The question, however, is how to address this challenge. A narrow minded and short sighted focus on the minimum wage only denies the issue’s complexity and holds the potential to destroy job opportunities rather than to constructively contribute to broad based economic and social development.

In these circumstances agriculture and South Africa have to deal with a fundamental challenge: is pressure applied by means of anarchy the way by which disputes are to be resolved, irrespective of the longer term consequences thereof, or should a value based approach, respecting the rule of law, be the preferred option? Investors’ uncertainty about the way by which recent wage disputes in South Africa have been settled clearly demonstrates why Agri SA cannot see its way open to meet unrealistic demands within a short time frame to resolve differences.

Agri SA, in good faith, participated in talks with representatives from labour, but could not obtain their cooperation towards a process within the legal framework and a more realistic time frame to reach sustainable solutions for this complex issue. Nonetheless, Agri SA remains committed to constructive dialogue. The Minister of Labour clearly indicated that any undertaking from agriculture to increase wages immediately will hold no legal status due to the fact that minimum wages can only be legally amended by March 2013.

In terms of potential strikes today, Tuesday, 4 Dec 2012, Agri SA trusts that those organising the strike did follow the legal application process and that law and order will prevail.