The farm workers salary strike in Addo and Kirkwood near Uitenhage is having a crippling effect on the economy in the Sunday River Valley. Production is at standstill as thousands of full-time and seasonal citrus workers have been on strike since last week.
They want a 15% increase compared to the company’s 8% offer. The two parties are deadlocked at 13%. The strike has a potential of affecting local and international export markets.
The Sunday River Citrus Company managing director, Hannes de Waal says they have suffered heavy financial losses.
“This impact on us is disastrously. I calculated yesterday our losses that our losses is about R17 million as we speak. every 100 hectares that we produce is probably r1 million rand a week for a fruit that cannot be picked. at the moment the income of the people working here will be affected.”
Civic organisation, Sanco is at the forefront of the strike. Sanco member, Mbuzeli Jovuka, says the R20 per hour minimum wage bill is not negotiable.
“The white people they still use our people. They are working on targets. One must make 100 bags of oranges in order for you to make a living. What we say is no to that. Secondly they transport our workers with tractors and other people are getting injured. We say no to that they need to treat our people with dignity.”
