SA-based Zim migrant workers raise alarm

via SA-based Zim migrant workers raise alarm – Southern Eye January 25, 2016

THE MIGRANT Workers’ Union South Africa (Miwusa) has expressed concern over alleged ill-treatment of Zimbabweans working at farms in the Limpopo province.
Scores of Zimbabweans are said to be working abnormal hours, with some of them having been fired for demanding salary increments of R10.

By SILAS NKALA

The union said dogs were set on workers when they were being evicted from their places of residence on the farms by mostly white farm owners.

Miwusa national co-ordinator, Butholezwe Nyathi, told Southern Eye yesterday that most Zimbabweans on Limpopo farms were working under tough conditions.

“Migrant farm workers are treated so badly in South Africa,” he said.

The organisation encouraged foreigners to stand up and demand their rights as workers.

The union said more than 200 migrant workers, mainly Zimbabweans, were recently fired for demanding a little increment of R10 from the R80 they earn per day.

“The workers are working abnormal hours from 6am to 11pm,” Nyathi said.

“They only earn a meagre wage of R80 per day. The workers were forcefully evicted from the farm premises. They were beaten up and dogs were set on them. Workers could not receive their salaries and they were left vulnerable and homeless, now they survive through donations from well- wishers.”

The union said it is jointly working with other South African unions, such as Congress of South Africa Trade Unions (Cosatu), and other groups to assist
affected workers receive their payments.

“As Miwusa, we are calling on all migrants working in South Africa to be organised and join us or any other union to be protected.”