Agri SA says minimum wage hike threatens jobs, food security
The Agricultural sector says the latest national minimum wage increase will put jobs and food security at risk.
This week Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi raised the pay for farmworkers and domestic workers by 9.6%.
This means from next week Wednesday, these two groups should earn R25.42 per hour.
Agri SA's labour chairperson, Johan Wege, says there have been above-inflation wage increases for over a decade.
"The sector faces extreme headwinds, which on their own threaten food security in the coming years.
"Notwithstanding the challenges that the sector faces, Agri SA made a submission proposing a CPI minus 2% increase in the national minimum wage.
"This proposal recognised the financial pressure on workers in this inflationary environment, but also addressed the reality of farmers’ inability to continue to absorb above-inflation increases.
"That government has ignored this balanced position, is a devastating blow not only for the sector, but also for the consumers who will eventually see this increase reflected in their food expenditure."
