R40 000 for 19 years’ service

Published Nov 30, 2015

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Cape Town - Farmworkers who fear they are being crooked out of their provident fund chopped down trees to block off all entries to the farm where they work.

Nearly 100 workers of High Noon Farm outside Villiersdorp are demanding answers about what happened to the provident fund they contributed to before Crookes Brothers Limited bought the farm in 2014.

On Monday, workers used large rocks and burning tyres to block off the quiet, but important road leading to High Noon, Elandsrivier and Kaaimansgat farms.

And when they ran out of tyres, they cut off trees and large branches and set it alight.

Sam Slingers, 55, says their money was transferred from one fund to another when the new owners took over.

“They (management) said we could get the money but now they changed their tune,” says Slingers.

Retired worker Jan Swarts, 66, who stepped down in March after being employed on the farm for 19 years, says he only received R40 000 when he retired.

“I am still waiting for my other money because that can’t be all,” he claims.

Bawusa regional organiser Marius Hendricks says the strike will continue until they get satisfactory answers, with more workers from neighbouring farms expected to join the protest today.

Crookes Brothers Limited Managing Director Guy Clarke confirmed that the company is aware of the strike.

Daily Voice

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