‘Unrealistic’ wage increases may destabilise rural areas, warns FSA

Dan Kriek, president of Free State Agriculture (FSA), has expressed concern about the impact of unrealistic wage increases on the social-economic stability of the province’s rural areas.

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Kriek said the country could not afford the destabilisation of food production or labour. “That is why FSA supports the Agricultural Sector Unity Forums’ attempts to speak to government to create a more enabling environment to increase profitability in agriculture.This is one way the industry will be able to afford increased wages,” he said.

FSA had consulted with the University of Pretoria’s Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP) to investigate the impact of further increases. “FSA is committed to facilitate the establishment of a well-structured agricultural labour force. It is working with role players to ensure job creation opportunities,” said Kriek.