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The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) strongly condemns the latest incidences violence as reported during the farm workers’ strike in the Western Cape.  FEDUSA repeated its call for positive approaches to labour relations and constructive engagements at the negotiating tables.
 
It was reported yesterday morning that a young man was killed during violent protests in the Witzenberg region, as part of the ongoing provincial farm workers' strike for better wages.  Other reports came in that shops were looted and shots fired in Wolseley, while a satellite police station was torched near Ceres.  There were also unconfirmed reports of protests in Porterville, Somerset West, Piketberg and Tulbagh, with several major roads closed as a result.  
 
“We condemn in the strongest terms these acts of violence,” said FEDUSA General Secretary Dennis George.  “While we support the right to strike as an important tool in the hands of workers, FEDUSA firmly believes in positive labour relations and constructive engagements.  While violence and killings are deplorable on every possible level, we also feel that such behaviour is similarly ineffective and unnecessary,” he added.
 
Just a few days ago FEDUSA called for the urgent intervention by the Minister of Labour.  The Federation then stated that only this would address what it called “the increasingly volatile situation” through using the sectoral determination for farm workers.  It was reported that acting Minister of Labour, Angie Motshekga was able to broker a two-week suspension of the strike pending a review of the sectoral determination by the Employment Condition Commission next Wednesday.  At the same time, Agriculture Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson said Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant is set to publish a notice to cancel the existing sectoral determination of minimum wages for the sector.
 
“Similar to the tragic events at Marikana, we see patterns of disregard for institutions coming to the fore again,” argued George.  “We said then, and we will keep on saying that employers and Government need to use the machinery provided by our state-of-the-art labour legislation when dealing with these matters.  We have wonderful institutions in our country, such as the labour laws, CCMA [Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration], bargaining councils and the Labour Court.  Sectoral determinations are part of these institutions, and it is essential that all parties accept and respect these set-out procedures and systems to address disputes,” he added.
 
“The levels of violence that seem to have become a standard in wage talks during the past months are totally unacceptable.  FEDUSA and its affiliated trade unions deplore violence and intimidation and we will continue campaigning for positive and constructive interactions with our employers and Government.  Also, FEDUSA and the other trade union federations met with President Zuma last month to commit to a deeper, constructive industrial relations environment to stabilise the situation in our country after the recent credit downgrading.  We must all work together to make this country a better place,” concluded George.