2 000 farm workers retrenched ahead of new minimum wage implementation

At least 2 000 farm workers have been issued with retrenchment notices.

This as the agricultural sector shed jobs ahead of the implementation of a new minimum wage, and as mechanisation on farms gathered pace, Business Day reported today.

The paper reported analysts warning that thousands more jobs would be shed when the new wage comes into effect at the beginning of next month.

Agricultuiral Machinery Association secretary Jim Rankin told Business Day he expected farmers to look more closely at mechanisation “in the light of the last six months” – during which workers went on strike and unions demanded big pay rises – but said the process “started a long time ago”.

- Sapa