ANC
*News Statement by ANC Western Cape, 11 January 2013*** *ANC Calls for Strike Suspension*The ANC calls on Cosatu Western Cape secretary general Tony Ehrenreich and farm workers to suspend their industry strike action in favour of talks with farmers on wages and working conditions.
ANC Western Cape leader Marius Fransman says: "The ANC calls on Cosatu together with Fawu and Bawusa to facilitate the suspension and assist labourers to enter into talks in order to reach an amicable solution. The ANC respects the right of workers to organise, but in the light of more goodwill amongst some farmers and unruly elements hijacking the present strike, the ANC calls for cool off time and room for talks.
"In the same vein the ANC calls on agricultural businesses, especially organised agriculture like AgriSA, to overcome their aversion to negotiations and come to the table. This strike needs to end and a lasting solution found or the unintended consequences could mount on all sides."
The ANC is concerned that unwanted criminal elements used the strike to loot and perpetuate violence. Especially the presence of large numbers of seemingly imported mercenaries and militia disguised as so-called farm 'security' is distressing.
Fransman has previously called for calm and discipline as unacceptable reckless behaviour has mounted and commended those farmers who increased the daily farm labourers' wage.
The ANC also commended all the disciplined workers not engaged in irresponsible behaviour while they raise awareness of the real issues like the inadequate wages and exploitive conditions they are subjected to.
"The problem is not the minimum wage, but farmers who refuse to pay fair wages above the bare minimum. This has led to the untenable dispute.
"The ANC has called for calm throughout and reiterate its call for people not to hurt others or damage property. The ANC will continue to play its role both in government and as a party to ensure amicable outcomes that would be in the interests of the workers and the industry as a whole," Fransman says
*END**** **** **Distributed for the ANC by Cobus Grobler, 079 694 1688* -- _*Communist University*_*:*_CU Downloads_: _*sites.google.com/site/cu2012courses/* <https://sites.google.com/site/cu2012courses/>_
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