Premier commits to addressing farm workers’ concerns

KZN Premier Willies Mchunu has assured farm workers that his government will do everything in its power to protect them from any form of abuse.

Mchunu and his provincial Executive visited Hlabisa in the uMkhanyakude District as part of the Operation Sukuma Sakhe programme.

‘We will deploy all our resources to assist farm workers of Hlabisa after receiving complaints that they are being prevented from going to health care facilities.

‘We have received a report from a representative of farm workers who attended one of the engagements in a War Room meeting, who complained that employers deny them time off work to collect their ARV medication.

‘We are concerned by these reports, because people on chronic medication should not default on their treatment because this causes a host of other problems relating to the management of their health conditions,’ said Mchunu.

He said a recommendation has been made for a multi-disciplinary approach to resolve the impasse between farmers and farm workers over this issue, which will involve the provincial Department of Health, the Department of Labour and local and district municipalities.

Residents in all districts visited also complained about water and electricity cut-offs, lack of roads infrastructure and lack of housing, among others.

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