Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism

The eviction of agri workers and family members who are living and working on farms falls within the mandate of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD). Processes to deal with evictions (both legal and illegal) are activated and managed by the relevant Tenure Implementation Reform Unit within DALRRD, to ensure assistance with the eviction proceedings through legal assistance as well as the restoration of service to the residents of the family. The Tenure Unit will refer complainants to Legal Aid offices for legal assistance, should it be required.  The unit also provides training to officials and agri workers on the Extension of Security of Tenure Act (ESTA) 62 of 1997 legislation. Various legal processes need to be followed and completed, i.e. mediation for amicable solutions and applicable court proceedings through the relevant ESTA legislation.

The Rural Development Programme within the Western Cape Department of Agriculture facilitated ten (10) Labour Rights and Responsibilities sessions with agri workers, throughout the province. These sessions take the form of training workshops to capacitate agri workers, supervisors, Human Resources (HR) personnel and employers on labour legislation, as well as informing the agri workers of their rights and responsibilities whilst employed in the agricultural sector. The sessions also focus on evictions and the ESTA legislation. The Programme facilitated additional information sessions on evictions through presentations made by Legal Aid as well as the DALRRD Tenure unit, to the Western Cape Prestige Agri Worker Forum members.