Hon Minister, I wanted to ask you whether the department has plans to create agrivillages in the Stellenbosch area. Obviously, from what you are saying, you've moved in that direction. How will this address the abuse of farmworkers?
Obviously it is much easier to deal with abuse if it is specified and if we know what is classified as abuse. Do you foresee a situation where farmworkers will ever be able to access something like the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration, CCMA, or some other mediation process? What thoughts have gone along these lines, and how do you see that developing? Thank you.
The MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES: Chairperson, thanks to the hon Dudley for once again acknowledging that there is a problem of abuse of farmworkers. I have already spoken about agrivillages.
Yes, farmworkers do have access to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration, CCMA, but they are more often than not denied this access because of their low standard of living and low opportunities. This is a matter that we are developing with the Department of Labour to ensure that where there are cases that should be reaching CCMA, we assist farmworkers through legal aid.
We are also looking at the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs to investigate the opportunities of having community development workers assisting farmworkers when it comes to their rights. The basic rights of farmworkers are still being undermined. The rights of farmworkers are human rights which are being neglected. When we speak about human rights, we often neglect to mention the rights of farmworkers. I thank you. [Applause.]