Government on Monday noted the call by farm workers in the Western Cape for illegal protest action, but urged the strikers to exercise their right to protest peacefully, legally and within the confines of the law. This followed a gathering on Sunday at De Doorns where more than 1 500 workers were demanding better pay and improved conditions of employment.

The illegal strikes are a continuation of last year’s joint sessions between farm employers and employees, who were demanding a wage of R150 a day. The talks ended without an explicit conclusion.

Government urged citizens to practice their right to protest “peacefully, legally and within the ambit of the law”. It maintained that “social dialogue and, in particular, collective bargaining processes remain an imperative mechanism to resolve labour disputes.”

Government Communications and Information System acting CEO Phumla Williams said that “whilst employees have the right to engage their employers on matters relating to wage and working conditions, they are encouraged to refrain from violence and intimidation of other workers and the public in general.”

A report by the Department of Labour that frames the views given by all the groupings which took part in the joint sessions in December, is expected to be submitted to the Employment Conditions Commission for consideration this month for recommendations on resolving the farm worker’s demands.