The Western Cape 2012 Farm Workers' Strike was a pivotal moment in South African history. It was a turning point that led to significant changes in the lives of farm workers and the agricultural industry as a whole.
The strike was sparked by a 12% wage increase demand, which was met with resistance from many farm owners. The workers, who were mostly migrant laborers from rural areas, felt that their wages were too low to sustain themselves and their families.
The strike began in De Doorns, a small town in the Western Cape, and quickly spread to other areas of the province. Tensions escalated as farm workers clashed with police and private security forces.
The strike lasted for several weeks, with farm workers facing intimidation, arrest, and even violence from those opposing their demands.
Role of Labor Organizations
The role of labor organizations was significant in the Western Cape 2012 Farm Workers' strike. COSATU announced that the strike was suspended on November 14, but workers continued with their strike.
Most farmworkers remained on strike the next day, leading to a split within the labor movement. The Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU), which is affiliated with COSATU, opted to support the farmworkers in defying COSATU's agreement with government.
COSATU's decision to call off the strike on December 4, 2010, was met with controversy. According to the Daily Maverick, COSATU did not have a democratic mandate to make this decision.
Strike and Response
The strike began on a farm near De Doorns on 27 August 2012 when a group of largely female workers walked off the job.
It then spread to other areas, described as 'organic' and organised by workers without mediation by political parties, trade unions or NGOs.
The strike was finally called off on 4 December 2012.
Three protesters were killed during the strike amidst widespread claims of police brutality and intimidation of workers to join the strikes.
Forms of Protest
The forms of protest used during the strike were quite diverse and sometimes destructive. Road blockades were a common sight, disrupting traffic and daily life.
Stoning of police was another form of protest, which can be intimidating and even violent. The police reported that shops were also looted during the strike.
Burning vineyards was a form of protest that caused significant damage to property. This was just one example of the destructive nature of the strike.
Intimidation of non-striking workers and damage to property, both agricultural and urban, were also reported during the strike.
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Strike Resumption
The strike resumed in January 2013, accompanied by considerable violence that spread to the towns of Villiersdrop and Wolseley.
The Daily Maverick reported that Nosey Pieterse played an important role in the strike that month.
Letsekang Tokhwane, 25, was shot dead by the police on 14 January 2013.
The strike was finally called off on 22 January 2013.
As a result of their participation in the strike, a number of workers were fired.
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State and Bosses' Response to Strikes
The state often responds to strikes with force, as seen in the 1972 steel strike where the government passed the Industrial Relations Act to limit workers' rights.
The government can also impose a state of emergency, which was done in 1974 during the Ulster Workers' Council strike.
Bosses may try to break the strike by hiring replacement workers, as happened during the 1972 steel strike.
In some cases, employers may offer concessions to workers to end the strike, as was the case with the 1974 Ford Motor Company strike.
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Impact and Aftermath
The Western Cape 2012 Farm Workers' strike had a significant impact on the daily minimum wage for agricultural workers, which was raised from R69 (roughly US$8.54 in 2012) to R105 (US$13 in 2012) per day.
The event was also used as a regional campaign issue in the run-up to the South African general election of 2014. This shows how the strike had a lasting effect on the political landscape of the region.
The strike was attempted to be resumed one year later in November 2013, but it was unsuccessful due to a lack of interest by workers and disagreement over the necessity of striking again.
Here are the key dates related to the strike and its aftermath:
- 2012: The strike took place and had an impact on the daily minimum wage.
- 2013: The strike was attempted to be resumed, but it was unsuccessful.
- 2014: The event was used as a regional campaign issue in the run-up to the South African general election.
Impact
The strikes had a significant impact on the daily minimum wage for agricultural workers, increasing it from R69 (roughly US$8.54 in 2012) to R105 (US$13 in 2012) per day.
This wage increase was a major victory for the workers, and it's likely that many of them were able to improve their living standards as a result.
The strikes also had a lasting impact on the regional campaign leading up to the South African general election of 2014. The event was used as a campaign issue, highlighting the concerns of agricultural workers and the need for better working conditions.
The strike's impact was not limited to the workers themselves, as it also sparked a political debate. Helen Zille, the Western Cape's premier, suggested that the strike was motivated by politics, with the African National Congress trying to present the DA-run province as "exploitative, racist and ungovernable".
The strike's legacy can be seen in the attempts to resume the strike in November 2013, which were unsuccessful due to a lack of interest from workers and disagreement over the necessity of striking again.
Forward to Power
The aftermath of the strike saw significant changes in the daily minimum wage for agricultural workers, rising from R69 (approximately US$8.54 in 2012) to R105 (US$13 in 2012) per day.
The strike also had a lasting impact on the regional campaign for the 2014 South African general election. The event was used as a key issue by various parties, highlighting the importance of labor rights.
The Western Cape's premier, Helen Zille, had a different take on the strike, suggesting that there was a political motive behind it, with the African National Congress trying to portray the DA-run province as "exploitative, racist and ungovernable."
The strike's legacy can be seen in the subsequent labor disputes and protests in South Africa, including those in 2012 and 2013.
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