The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) Western Cape has learnt with shock and dismay of another vehicle accident which occurred on Wednesday, 6 November, near Wellington on the R44 road which claimed the lives of two workers and seriously injured several others. 

The Federation would like to extend its heartfelt condolences to the families and the colleagues of the deceased and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured farmworkers.

COSATU has on numerous occasions called on the ministers of Employment and Labour, Transport and the MEC of Mobility in the Western Cape to enforce the ban on the transportation of workers, including farmworkers on the backs of bakkies and trucks. Unfortunately, our calls has fallen on deaf ears. How many more farmworkers must die before the government and the authorities address this problem.

Furthermore, we call on law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate this matter to ensure that justice is served. COSATU Western Cape demands that the owner and management of the farm take full responsibility for what happened and be held liable for the deaths, injuries and loss of earnings of these workers. In addition, they must offer compensation to the families of the deceased and the injured farmworkers.

Workers sell their labour, not their lives. They should not be treated like glorified slaves by greedy employers.

COSATU reiterates its call for workers to unite in order to ensure that employers do not put profits before the health and safety of workers.

We also urge the Human Rights Commission to investigate this matter as we are of the view that the rights of the workers have been infringed upon.

Issued by COSATU Western Cape

For questions, please call:

Malvern De Bruyn, COSATU Provincial Secretary on 060 977 9027

Motlatsi Tsubane on 074 482 6180