Farmworkers march stoppped
2013-02-28 13:01
Johannesburg - The Cape Town city council and the police
have denied farmworkers permission to march to Parliament at the weekend, the
Farmworkers' Coalition said on Thursday.
"The city and the SA Police Service have refused us
permission, claiming a shortage of police officers," the organisation said
in a statement.
"There is no such shortage when events such as the
Soccer World Cups are happening... This is clearly a political decision to
frustrate the legitimate struggles of farmworkers."
The coalition said it had planned to march against
farmers' "ongoing efforts" to undermine the new minimum wage for
workers.
Police spokesperson Tembinkosi Kinana said the police did
not deal with permits to march and referred the inquiry to the City of Cape
Town's events and permits applications department.
Department head Charmaine van Reenen did not return
messages.
The coalition said it would hold a press conference about
the matter on Thursday afternoon.
Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant announced on 4 February that
the minimum wage for farmworkers would increase to R105 a day, from R69, with
effect from Friday, with an increase of inflation plus 1.5% in subsequent
years.
Farmers had until Friday to apply for exemptions from the
wage increase, department spokesperson Page Boikanyo said on Tuesday.
Farmers who wanted exemptions had to submit a number of
documents, including written proof of their workers' consent.
"In addition, the concerned establishment will have
to provide reasons for not being able to comply with prescribed conditions,
furnish a list of employees with their current wages... and a project plan,
amongst others," Boikanyo said.
The decision to increase the minimum wage was made after
a series of violent protests by Western Cape farmworkers.
- SAPA
