There has been some bad publicity recently about the working and living conditions of labourers on farms in the Western Cape. Human Rights Watch (HRW), an independent NGO based in America has written a report called Ripe with Abuse: Human Rights Conditions in South Africa’s Fruit and Wine Industries which documents conditions they found on both fruit and wine farms in South Africa. Having studied the report fully Wines of South Africa has released a statement which can be read in full by following the link below and we would be grateful if you took the time to read it:
http://www.wosa.co.za/sa/news_article.php?id=1506
The criticism we have is that the study is not representative of the South African wine industry which has lead the way in improving conditions on farms. HRW interviewed only 85 current farm workers and 32 former farm workers, a “sample” identified by unions and NGOs. The respondents came from a total of 60 farms of which 20 were wine farms. There are over 3600 wine farms in the Western Cape.
South Africa has one of the largest numbers of Fairtrade accredited wine farms in the world, and the wine industry has worked exceptionally hard to reverse the wrongs of the past and ensure the dignity of their workforce. There are numerous examples of wine farms that empower their workers and offer opportunities, not only for those working on the farm, but their families as well.
HRW has not released the details of those farms that are guilty of illegal and inhumane treatment of their workers. This report, therefore, has the potential to damage the whole industry by tarring everyone with the same brush.
Having said that, one abuse is one too many and the wine industry has called on the Government to partner with them to accelerate reform. As Su Birch, our CEO, said: “Let me make it very clear: we condemn out of hand any and all human rights abuses on wine farms. Our disappointment in the bias of the report is in no way an indication of our support for inhumane practices. It expresses our concern that trade and consumers all over the world could become alienated from South African wines. We call on Government to partner the wine industry in accelerating reform and in rooting out problems.”
Please also read the articles highlighted below from some retailers in the UK who have visited a number of wine farms in South Africa and their views about the conditions on our wine farms. As you will read, their experiences are quite different to those painted by the HRW report and recent media articles.
http://www.shjoneswines.com/south-african-wines-in-the-press/
Make a comment