EC ANC "suspends" call for boycott of Western Cape wines

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

The ANC in the Eastern Cape has suspended its call for a boycott of wines and other farm products from the Western Cape.

In a statement on Friday, ANC provincial spokesperson, Mlibo Qoboshiyane, said this is in the light of ongoing talks to end the farm workers strike.

He said the Eastern Cape ANC's call for the boycott was inspired by what he said was the arrogance of some of the farmers and of Western Cape Premier.

Qoboshiyane says the intervention by national ministers of Labour, Mildred Oliphant and Agriculture and Fisheries, Tina Joemat-Pettersson, will lead to a sustainable solution to the matter.

"As key role players continue with talks, the issue of increasing minimum wage, as pronounced by Cosatu, must also receive national attention," he said.

"We are of the view that, since Western Cape Premier, Helen Zille, failed to provide leadership, the two national ministers will work with all affected role players to facilitate an agreement."

Qoboshiyane said "the agreement must also benefit the workers so that they don't surfer while the employer prospers. A good solution to the problem would be the one that benefits both sides."

"South African employers have a duty to pay good salaries and wages to the workers. No one must use economic terms and climate to encourage low salaries and wages for the workers while the same argument is not considered for company bosses," he added.

"We must all strive to ensure that workers are paid good salaries and wages that will not make it difficult for them to educate their children, feed their families, finance their healthcare and save money for the future," he concluded.