FAWU Calls For Ban Of Unsafe Transport of Farm Workers After De Doorns Accident

The Food and Allied Workers’ Union condemns the horrific accident that occurred on the N1 near De Doorns on 7 April that led to the serious injuries and deaths of several farm workers who were on their way to work at Buffelskraal farm from the Touws River area. FAWU visited the families of the affected workers in Touws River to sympathise with their loved ones and we are glad that the employer will assist with funeral arrangements of those who lost their lives in the tragedy. FAWU has for many years called out to government to establish regulations for safer modes of transportation for farm workers as we have seen too many accidents like these over the past few decades. It is morally incomprehensible that the government to this day, do not put in place harsher rules to ensure safer transportation for these vulnerable workers. It is also disappointing that government did not enforce the same lock down guidelines in terms of transportation of farm workers which are applied to other forms of transport during the COVID19 pandemic. We call on the relevant ministries to address the issue. Our government needs to understand that they need to engage pro-actively when it comes to vulnerable workers . We cannot simply wait for disasters to happen and then still fail to take the necessary precautionary measures. Farm owners need to ensure that the transport is fit and properly maintained . They are responsible for appointing truck drivers and arrange the transportation - it therefore becomes their responsibility to see that their driver is fit, competent and knowledgeable about safety issues to drive and have an appropriate licence permit. Farm workers are exposed to a hazardous working environment, they often lack proper hygiene and sanitation on the farms where they work and in light of the seriously contagious COVID 19 disease , it is even more important than ever to increase precautionary measures against this pandemic. Workers often express to us their concerns and we as a union take it up with the employer but many of them resist and prefers to cut costs rather than to spend money on safety issues such as these. Many times the issue goes unreported since union officials rely on workers to report this. When we do become aware of unsafe transportation , we report it to the labour inspectors who needs to address this with the employer. FAWU has seen these types of accidents time and time again. The government has to get more serious with transport safety regulations pertaining to farm workers . FAWU and other activists have been crying out for the last decade for the government to attend to this critical issue and yet here we are again dealing with the same issue. Nevertheless, FAWU will persevere with its campaign for safer transport. We will continue to report those who still practice carrying workers over the limit capacity and at the back of open trucks. Workers are seasonal workers and most are poor families who are completely devastated by this tragic accident as most rely on seasonal work for a living. Workers in the food sector and farm workers are performing a vital service during this lock down as they are at the front lines of food production and aids in maintaining food security in South Africa. Most of them are worried as they have suddenly been deemed essential workers yet still continue to earn low wages and remain vulnerable as they cannot even afford or gain access to personal protective equipment during this time of the COVID-19 disease. Released by FAWU media liaison officer, Dominique Martin – 082 498 5631