South African farmworkers to resume strike over pay

South African farmers in the province of Western Cape are expected to resume their strikes over low salaries and bad living conditions after the country’s officials failed to meet with their demands.

“The strike will continue until such time as the workers receive 150 rand,” Mario Wanza of the Farmworkers Strike Coalition said on Thursday, AFP reported.

At least 19 key farm towns were hit by recent unrest, he added.

The strikes, which had been staged earlier this month, were suspended for two weeks on November 17, when the Congress of South African Trade Unions agreed to hold negotiations with the government on a wage review.

On Tuesday, Labor Minister Mildred Oliphant issued a statement saying that due to legal restrictions, the government would not be able to increase the farmers’ wages until next year.

The striking farmers demand that their minimum daily wage be increased from 70 rands (8 US dollars) to 150 rands (17 US dollars).

Reports say that a 28-year-old farmer lost his life and five others were injured during clashes with police officers in Wolseley, which is a small town about 120 kilometers (74 miles) north of Cape Town.