WC women farmworkers call for Labour Dept to enforce laws on commercial farms
They took their grievances to the department’s doorsteps on Tuesday in the Cape Town CBD.
Farmworkers marched in the Cape Town CBD on 13 May 2025 against unfair labour practices at commercial farms in the Western Cape. Picture: Ntuthuzelo Nene/EWN
CAPE TOWN - Women farmworkers from various parts of the Western Cape are calling on the Department of Employment and Labour to enforce labour laws on commercial farms in the province.
They took their grievances to the department’s doorsteps on Tuesday in the Cape Town CBD.
They’re accusing the department of ignoring their complaints of labour rights violations by farm owners.
A group of women seasonal farmworkers under the banner of Women on Farms Project are demanding the enforcement of all labour laws, including the National Minimum Wage Act.
Handing over a memorandum of grievances on Tuesday afternoon, spokesperson Daniel Samuel said they also wanted the department to issue fines and penalties to non-compliant farms.
"We demand a meeting with provincial staff, the inspectorate, heads of labour centres from Worcester, De Doorns, Ceres, Paarl, and Somerset West, including Dr Bax, who is heading the Compensation Fund by no later than 6 June 2025."
They’re also demanding the fast-tracking of UIF applications, especially those of women seasonal farmworkers.