Fedusa condemns De Doorns violence

Hundreds of protesting farmworkers gathering on the N1 near De Doorns. Picture Henk Kruger/Cape Argus. (File picture).

Hundreds of protesting farmworkers gathering on the N1 near De Doorns. Picture Henk Kruger/Cape Argus. (File picture).

Published Nov 15, 2012

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The Federation of Unions of SA (Fedusa) on Thursday strongly condemned violence linked to a farmworkers strike in the Western Cape.

“We condemn in the strongest terms these acts of violence,” said Fedusa general secretary Dennis George.

“While we support the right to strike as an important tool in the hands of workers, Fedusa firmly believes in positive labour relations and constructive engagements.”

A farmworker was killed in Wolseley in the Western Cape, and looting and gunfire had also been reported.

George said violence and killing was deplorable, as well as ineffective and unnecessary.

Employers and government needed to use dispute resolution processes provided for in labour legislation, such as the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), bargaining councils and the Labour Court.

“The levels of violence that seem to have become a standard in wage talks during the past months are totally unacceptable,” said George.

Fedusa and other trade unions met President Jacob Zuma last month to commit to a constructive industrial relations environment, he said. - Sapa

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