ANC calls for end to farm strike
2013-01-11 20:34
Gallery | click on thumbnail to view larger image
Hundreds of protesters resumed wage strikes resulting in clashes between farmworkers and the police. See the pictures.
Cape Town - The ANC on Friday called on Western Cape
farmworkers to suspend their strike.
"The ANC calls on Cosatu together with Fawu and
Bawusa to facilitate the suspension and assist labourers to enter into talks in
order to reach an amicable solution," Western Cape ANC chairperson Marius
Fransman said in a statement.
He said criminals had used the strike and ensuing
protests to "loot and perpetuate violence.
"The ANC respects the right of workers to organise,
but in the light of more goodwill amongst some farmers and unruly elements
hijacking the present strike, the ANC calls for cool off time and room for
talks."
Fransman said farmers, under the auspices of Agri-SA,
should use the possible suspension of the strike to hold talks with workers.
"This strike needs to end and a lasting solution
found or the unintended consequences could mount on all sides."
Fransman's comments came after the Congress of SA Trade
Unions (Cosatu) announced some farmers had agreed to settlement talks.
"The problem is not the minimum wage, but farmers
who refuse to pay fair wages above the bare minimum. This has led to the
untenable dispute."
Meanwhile police were continuing patrols on the N1 at De
Doorns, following the violence on Wednesday and Thursday.
The national road, which remained closed to traffic, was
quiet on Friday.
Rocks, glass and spent rubber bullet casings littered the
road.
Police spokesperson Andre Traut said at least 118 people
had been arrested across the Western Cape so far.
- SAPA
