Arbeidsverwagtinge van besproeiingsboere as werkgewers in die Vryburg-distrik

Abstract

During the past five years and particularly following the election of the ANC in Government, there have been a dramatic change in labour relations in the agricultural sector of South Africa . This has primarily been the result of the implementation of new labour legislation which , after many years, include the agricultural sector. Together with the change in legislation, farmers are increasingly confronted with the reality of black trade unions. The importance, of black farm workers in trade unions, is high on the list of priorities, as their membership would increase their members, resulting in strengthening the political bargaining power of the unions. Trade unions have already spread to every province in South Africa and at least twelve are, to a greater or lesser extent, successfully active in agriculture. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY The main objectives of this study were: - To discuss the application of the new Labour Relations Act . (66 of 1995) in agriculture. - To determine the labour expectations of farmers in a changing labour environment. - To determine the current position, in respect of labour relations, on farms. METHODOLOGY A thorough theoretical orientation, regarding the symbolic interaction as a sociological perspective, has been dealt with in chapter two. The labour relations involving the state, trade unions, employer organizations and their members have been discussed in chapter three . Chapter four, has been used to discuss certain facets of the new Labour Relations Act. (66 of 1995), as it is presently applicable to agriculture. Questionnairs and unstructured interviews were utilized as a method for the compiling of empirical information . The investigation was carried out in the Louwna Coetzersdam vicinity in the North West Province. The total population of the area was implicated in the investigation and no random responses were considered. MAJOR FINDINGS - More than half (57,9%) of the respondents revealed that they are not members of any employer organization. - In respect of trade unions in the agriculture, 73, 7% of the respondents were absolutely negative, with not a single respondent being in favour of agriculture trade unions. - 89,5% of the respondents indicated that they are not or only to a certain extent, prepared for trade union activities. - Most of the respondents revealed that, irrespective of the advantages that worker councils may have in respect of improved communication and mutual understanding, they do not avail themselves of this channel. - Most of the respondents, 71, 1 % indicated that they possess a limited knowledge of labour legislation. CONCLUSION Farmers in this area are negative and dubious about trade unions and related labour legislation . This could be attributed to the fact that farmers do not possess sufficient knowledge and information about the subject. A solution, for the sake of survival in this sector, is dependent upon the willingness of farmers to undertake early pro-active adaptations and thereby avoiding future conflict. This could partially be accomplished, by improving the knowledge levels in respect of trade unions affairs and labour legislation, as soon as possible. Trade unions, as a reality in agriculture, must be accepted as part of a changing labour environment, in which the agriculture must function.