The NAU condemns any illegal deeds by white commercial farmers regarding the handling of farm workers.

The NAU further appeals to commercial farmers to refrain from taking the law into their own hands. Where problems are experienced with farm workers, the NAU requests its members to contact the office and the farmer will immediately be given advice and the right procedures according to the stipulations of the law.

The NAU management urges farmers to reason before taking any steps against their workers. These steps have to be in consultation with the Act, they have to be fair and human so that they cannot serve as "ammunition" for the unions and certain politicians.

Since 2003 only 5 incidents in commercial agriculture regarding poor labour relations occured. These practices can be prevented if the right procedures are followed at all times.

An appeal is made to the Farmworkers Union and other persons/ organisations not to generalise and accuse all white farmers that they are mistreating or maltreating their workers. The fact is that the majority of agricultural employers maintain excellent working relationships with their workers and provide their workers with good housing. The NAU went through some trouble to ensure that the workers receive adequate payment.

It is of utmost importance that unions should stick to the facts and not generalise for the sake of sensation. The law should be allowed to go its way until all guilty parties are identified. This also applies to the Outjo-case where justice must give the final judgement.

J. M. de Wet

President: NAU