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GroundUp reports that negotiations between Oak Valley Estate and the Commercial, Stevedoring, Agricultural and Allied Workers’ Union (Csaawu) have seemingly deadlocked.
Since 6 May, protests have blocked the N2 outside Grabouw and there have been several clashes between police and protesters. But last week the workers suspended the protests pending negotiations with Oak Valley. Csaawu’s Karel Swart claimed that negotiations were deadlocked on the question of wage increases following meetings between Oak Valley management, the union, farm workers and Grabouw residents. But he added that progress had been made on secondary demands for eradication of labour brokers and hostels. The workers are demanding R250 a day. Swart said that the issue of single sex hostels had now become a “human rights issue” and the SA Human Rights Commission confirmed it was investigating the “the discriminatory nature” of “a Grabouw farm’s” hostels. According to Swart, over 450 workers had downed tools and the “farm is quiet”. But Oak Valley MD Christopher Rawbone-Viljoen denied that the workers were still on strike. He said that most employees had returned to work although the “situation remains tense”. Farmworkers and union members are expected to march to Oak Valley Estate again on Friday.
- Read the full original of the report on the strike by Ashraf Hendricks at GroundUp
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page