News24 reports that the Western Cape MEC of economic opportunities, Alan Winde, will be investigating allegations of dire employment conditions for those working in the wine industry.  

This comes after a documentary by a Danish filmmaker painted a bleak picture showing the exploitation of employees.  Winde in a statement on Tuesday said the allegations were viewed in a serious light, viz.:  "I have directed my department to investigate the matter further and submit an interim report to my office within the next two weeks.  The Western Cape government stands firmly behind the rule of law in all cases."  He went on to state:  "To offer assistance to workers in the agriculture sector, the Western Cape government has put in place a dedicated support unit which immediately investigates any instances of employee-employer grievances brought to its attention.”

• Read this report by Tammy Petersen in full at News24
• See too, Wine farm documentary could harm WC economy, says MEC Winde, at EWN

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page