Increasing interest in farmers’ unions

TAU SA has established new farmers’ unions in Amsterdam, Badplaas, and Nelspruit in Mpumalanga, and Polokwane in Limpopo. Chris van Zyl, TAU SA manager of rural safety, said it is becoming essential for farmers to belong to farmers’ unions. “Collective bargaining power has become more important,” Van Zyl said.
He said there is rising interest amongst farmers to join farmers’ unions. “In the last three months the eastern region has recruited more than 100 members,” he said, adding that TAU SA is also looking to establish a farmers’ union in the Northern Cape.
According to TAU SA estimates, more than 50% of farmers are not actively involved in major farmer organisations such as TAU SA and Agri SA. “These farmers do not enjoy the benefits of belonging to an organised agriculture organisation,” he said.
Piet Kemp, regional manager for the TAU SA eastern region, said unions give farmers the opportunity to address issues such as land tax, property rights and safety.
Van Zyl encouraged all farmers to join local farmers’ unions. He said in the past farmers were concerned that they weren’t receiving any services for their monthly levy, but he assured farmers that this is not the case. – Wilma den Hartigh