Right to freedom of association supported by WIETA

Speaking on behalf of the board, chairperson Mzukisi Mooi said, "The current protests by workers within the agricultural sector highlight the urgent need to establish a culture of fair and ethical farming that is both socially and economically sustainable. It was against this background that this non-profit organisation was established in 2002, primarily as a way to assist workers and producers to understand their rights and abide by their responsibilities."

He said WIETA and its stakeholders strongly condemned all forms of violence and intimidation associated with the protests taking place within the agricultural sector and that were being attributed to workers, farmers, the SAPS, private security companies and farm worker communities.

WIETA, whose board representatives include producers, such as SALBA, Wine Cellars SA and Vinpro, trade unions such as FAWU, BAWUSA and Sekhula Sonke and NGOs such as Women on Farms Project and The Centre for Rural Legal Studies, said it was intensifying its rollout plan to increase the number of farms eligible for ethical certification.

"Through training of workers and management, technical assessments and audits, the association assesses compliance with a code of good conduct created to promote ethical and fair labour practices."

Seal will assist fair working conditions

He confirmed that earlier this year, the association had introduced an Ethical Seal, believed to be the first such initiative of its kind amongst wine-producing countries worldwide. Traceable across every step of the wine production process, the seal testifies to fair working conditions, based on rigorous and closely monitored certification criteria.

WIETA CEO, Linda Lipparoni, said many of the major producers, as well as smaller, privately owned producers were supporting the initiative. The first set of wines entitled to carry the seal was already in the market and more would be following on an on-going basis. "We urge other producers to comply with the association's code and earn the right to carry the Ethical Seal."

Mooi said the association was fully committed to exploring constructive ways and means of resolving the current and other contentious issues amongst the wine industry stakeholders. "We are making an urgent call to the wider agricultural sector to come together and to enter into meaningful dialogue to find fair and equitable solutions to address the current situation."