The New Age reports that after a year of their cries falling on deaf ears, farm workers at Umbhaba Estates are seeking intervention from the Presidency because they say the provincial department of labour has failed to help them.  

One suspended farmer indicated:  “We now believe that the only person who can help us in this situation is the president himself and also the president of Cosatu since all the parties that we asked to intervene have failed us.”  The workers embarked on a strike more than a year ago demanding a salary hike and the employer’s recognition of the Food and Allied Workers Union (Fawu).  Umbhaba Estates farms organic bananas and operates out of Hazyview, Hectorspruit and Kiepersol.  The strikers are at the company’s Hectorspruit operation.  Cosatu provincial secretary Thabo Mokoena said the federation was doing all it could to assist with food parcels and some funds.  Meantime, judgment is awaited in court action that was initiated.

• Read this report by Charlote Hlangwane in full at The New Age

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