Women farmworkers have staged a picket outside Community House in Cape Town, highlighting ongoing concerns about labour conditions, wages, and safety in the agricultural sector.
The group says delays at the CCMA (Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration), partly due to underfunding, are slowing down the resolution of workplace disputes. They argue this leaves many workers without timely support when facing unfair labour practices.
They are calling on both the CCMA and the National Treasury to improve funding and efficiency so that workers’ cases can be resolved faster and more effectively.
In addition to institutional reform, the protesters are demanding a higher minimum wage for farm workers, saying current pay levels are not enough to meet basic living costs.
Health and safety concerns were also raised, particularly around the use of the pesticide Dormex in farming areas, which they claim has been banned in its place of origin, Europe, yet is allowed in South Africa.
The picket highlights growing pressure on government and labour institutions to address long-standing challenges in South Africa’s agricultural sector, where low wages, safety risks, and slow dispute resolution remain major issues for many workers.
Done by : Nia Damoense.
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