WHENEVER one talks about the agriculture sector, emphasis is given on the successes and plight of the farmer, who is the face of the sector.
Not much is mentioned about the workforce behind the farmer that helps him achieve his goals and aspirations.
They too have their plights and goals.
During the colonial era, farm labourers were treated as nonentities by their white masters; to them they were just ‘donkeys’ meant to toil hard yet they enjoy the fruits.
The Land Reform Programme ushered in a new breed of farm owners some who were once farm workers and since then, the story of the farm worker is changing.
It is against this background that the Zimbabwe Horticulture Agro-Industries and General Agriculture Workers’ Union (ZHAGAWU) was formed.
The association, formed in 2007, is an affiliate to the Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions (ZFTU).
“We felt that the body that is affiliated to the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) that is meant to be representing farm workers has lost its cause and was now concentrating on politics,” said ZHAGAWU general secretary, Raymond Sixpence.
“Contrary to some sections of the so-called private media who do not understand us, our mandate is to represent the farm worker and ensure that their concerns are catered for.
“Our areas of concern include ensuring that their welfare that is health, safety, living conditions and the welfare of their children is taken care of.”
The association boasts of a membership of 30 000 with efforts being made to attract more members.
“We have received an overwhelming responds from the farm workers and they are interested in learning more about their rights,” said Sixpence.
He said since the formation of the association, strides have been made in the improvement of welfare farm workers.
“The Land Reform Programme has helped in the turning of fortunes of farm workers who were in the past ill-treated by their white masters,” Sixpence said.
“These new black farmers understand their fellow black mates and are doing everything to improve their working conditions.
“It is not rare these days to find farm workers who have pieces of land on their master’s farms where they are allowed to produce their own crops for their families.
“This is a clear indication that the new masters are concerned about the development of their workers.”
Sixpence said it was encouraging to note that new farmers had shown that they are also concerned about the welfare of the children of thier workers as most have turned the once farm houses into education facilities.
“In some instances the farm owners help mobilise transport for children going to schools in nearby areas,” he said.
“Government has also chipped in by building clinics near farms to ensure the health of those living in farming communities.”
Sixpence said despite the improving situation for farm workers, there were other challenges still being faced.
“There are issues like remunerations that are still affecting some farm workers,” he said.
“Most farmers are at loggerheads with their workers on the issue of wages and salaries.”
Sixpence said the gazetted minimum wage and benefits for farm workers included US$72 for wages, US$10 light allowance, US$8 for fuel and US$35 for housing allowance.
“Most farmers were underpaying their workers or not paying them at all and these are some of the cases we help our members resolve,” he said.
“The other issue is about contract workers whereby some of the farm workers just enter into contracts yet they are not aware of the terms guiding their working conditions.”
Sixpence said to help farm workers know their rights, ZHAGAWU was embarking on provincial tours engaging farm workers.
“As an association we have a plan in place to reach out to our constituency and so far, we have been to Midlands, Manicaland Mashonaland West, East and Central,” he said.
“In the coming weeks we will be in Masvingo.”
Sixpence said during these meetings not only were farm workers enlightened of their rights, but also educated on how they could improve their status.
“It is important that farm workers take advantage of the opportunities they have to learn more about the sector and take advantage of the Land Reform Programme to apply for land,” he said.
“They should not be content with just being workers, but aspire to be farm owners and be their own masters.”
As the drive to empower and improve the working conditions of the farm worker continues, it is hoped the efforts will translate to positive results in the sector.