Cape Town - The new minimum wage for farmworkers has to be implemented from Friday. Page Boikanyo, spokesperson for the labour department said farmers have until then to apply to be exempted from increasing their workers' wages. Farmers that want exemption must submit a number of documents, including written proof that the affected workers consented to the move. In addition, the parties concerned must provide reasons for not being able to comply with prescribed conditions. After a series of violent protests by Western Cape farmworkers, Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant conducted national public hearings and decided to increase farmworkers' wages to R105 a day, up from R69. Wages must be increased by inflation plus 1.5 percent in subsequent years.

Sapa