Workers blame supervisors for tensions on farm

ONALENNA MODIKWA
Staff Writer | Friday July 11, 2008 00:00

During a Kgotla meeting Labour and Home Affairs Minister Peter Siele addressed, farm workers blamed managers and supervisors, who are mainly Batswana, for being at the centre of the tensions at the farm. One employee, Obonetse Olefile, who has been working for Richmark farm since 1998, said they suffer untold misery at the hands of their bosses. He said if it were not for the supervisors the meeting with the minister would be unnecessary.

One employee said the minister should get rid of the Department of Labour because they have dismally failed to attend to Richmark farm workers' grievances and suggested that the department be replaced by the Industrial Court.

The worker said managers and supervisors are so abusive and sometimes hurl insults at the employees for no apparent reason and urged the managing director to call them to order because 'they are tarnishing' the image of the farm. 'The Kirbys are innocent but the problems are bred by the supervisors and managers.' He also suggested that the directors should closely monitor and screen the supervisors. He called for a dialogue between workers and the Directors to unearth all the hidden ill treatments.

But Steven Keolebogile, a supervisor, said the directors were not aware of what was going in the different sections of the farm and yet they were being blamed. 'The directors are innocent but the problem lies with the supervisors.

Workers on the other hand should learn to channel their complaints to us and they should also deliver and desist from tendencies of failing to turn up for work on Mondays.'

But workers complained to the minister that the P408 minimum wage is too little considering the sky-rocketing food prices.

They alleged that the farm employs mainly expatriates at the expense of locals adding that 'well-educated Batswana' are not allowed to sit on the workers' committees. They also expressed concern that after agreeing on  rates of pay they are in turn paid on a flat rate and told that it is because the employees are too many. The workers further suggested that farm supervisors should be sent for training and orientation so 'they can be taught good human relations skills'.

In response, Minister Siele said that he would ask the Commissioner of Labour to appoint a senior official to reinforce the team that will carry out a detailed on-the-job-assessment of the labour situation at the farm in Moletemane.  He said it had now been made clear that the problem emanated from the 'supervisors, not directors' and it was evident that there was a sour relationship between workers and supervisors.

He said though he acknowledges that supervisors must be orientated, Richmark must also screen them lest they cost the farm its good name. He promised to give the Department of Labour conditions to tour all the farms in the surrounding areas within a certain time frame and report back to him.

The minister said the country must have thriving businesses like Richmark and those that are aligned to the labour law expectations and both parties - employers and employees - must comply. 'Employers should not ill treat employees just because they know they are desperate for work and employees on the other hand must deliver. Respect each other to enhance good working relationships,' Siele said.

He added that consultation is the main aspect of good industrial relations. He also noted that it was 'through thorough consultations' that the government arrived at the P408 minimum wage and the country's gross domestic product (GDP) was considered. He said the government is still working around-the-clock to consider many issues that can determine the hours of work for farm workers.

For his part, managing director Kirby said that in the past the minister was given a one-sided negative story of the farm and nothing positive was brought to his attention.

He said he has been paying his employees above the set minimum wage. He added that Richmark is 'a commercial enterprise' that has a set throughput for it to survive at the same it has to beat its competitors in quality and price, hence it has to do things in a way that will enable it to achieve its mission.

Kirby stated that poultry farming is labour-intensive, hence it cannot afford to have about 59 absentees in a day like what is happening. He noted that workers deem pay-day as leave without valid reasons and upon return to work they flout labour laws and vent anger on their supervisors.

'As management we also make mistakes but it is important for each one of us to introspect how we can stop conflicts. I do not agree that there is unemployment in the Moletemane and surrounding villages because residents are reluctant to work in the farms. As such the minister should allow me to employ anybody who is willing to work.'

Babirwa Chief Mmirwa Malema thanked the minister for the manner in which he has handled the issue between the Richmark management and employees.

He said the wish of the government is to make the country self-sustainable in food production and as such people must help the government achieve its goal.