Labour Dept: Farm strikes to end by March
Labour Dept said it will only be able to review farmworker wages before March 2013.
CAPE TOWN - The Labour Department said on Tuesday it can't realistically review farmworkers' minimum wages until March next year.
The department is holding a series of public hearings nationally on the matter this month.
The Labour Minister plans to review the R70 daily wage paid to farm labourers after they went on a two-week long strike demanding a daily wage increase of R150.
The ministry's Titus Mtsweni said, "The minister pointed out that if there is going to be an amendment, it will come into effect from 1 March 2013."
Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson earlier defended the deadly strike saying farmworkers have a right to voice their grievances.
She said those who took part in the strike would not be arrested.
At least two people lost their lives in the first round of strikes in the province.