News24 reports that the Western Cape government is looking at ways of ensuring that farmworkers in the province are transported in a safe and dignified manner.

The provincial Standing Committee on Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning met on Tuesday to discuss concerns about farmworker transport. The committee discussed various options to improve the safe and dignified transport of farmworkers in the province. Concerns about farmworkers being transported on open trucks have been mounting after numerous deadly accidents in the province. The lack of social distancing and non-wearing of masks were also matters of concern. Committee chairperson Andricus van der Westhuizen pointed out that they were tasked with finding a "solution" to the ongoing problems. He noted that the meeting was the second such briefing this year after the committee previously resolved to invite labour unions representing farmworkers, as well as the Road Traffic Management Corporation, to attend. It was reported that the provincial transport department was stepping up its law enforcement actions in areas where seasonal workers were transported in large numbers. Both the agriculture department and labour unions were asked to pay close attention to farmworker transportation and to promote good practices, such as the temporary fitting of seats and canopies on the back of farm trucks. A proposal was made for national government to consider subsidising public transport in rural areas, which would allow farmworkers to be transported by bus instead of open trucks. Various other proposals and issues were discussed.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lisalee Solomons at News24

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