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News24 reports that a Western Cape table grape farmer is hoping a removable seat and roll bar canopy will make it safer to transport farm workers on the back of a truck.
With the high cost of hiring or buying a bus, the truck can then be used for other farm activities between commutes. The Hex River Valley farmer says that even though farmers' profit margins are low and they cannot afford to buy buses, they care for their workers and are trying to find a safe compromise on workers' transport. Michael Vorster said: "People have this perception that farmers don't care. There is a young generation of farmers that really do care." He was referring to tragedies such as the crash between De Doorns and Worcester early in January, which left a woman dead and at least 13 people injured. The tragedy revived criticism over the way farm workers are often transported on the back of trucks. Vorster pointed out that bus hire would cost some R1,300 a day – around R20 a worker – an expense that most farmers could not afford. So he and some other farmers have started developing safety canopies, reinforced with steel bars, and fitted with seats that are bolted on for a journey and can be removed, so the truck can be used for other farm work. The next step will be to add safety belts to the seats. Meantime, ANC member of the provincial legislature Pat Marran is consulting with farm worker unions and the Department of Transport to see if the canopy system can be used, and what improvements are needed.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jenni Evans at News24
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