Parliament says farm worker share scheme failing in Western Cape

CAPE TOWN – Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Land Reform says farm equity schemes in the Western Cape have failed to benefit farmworkers.

During a three-day oversight visit, the committee discovered that only nine out of 88 schemes launched between 1996 and 2008 declared dividends.

Many workers claim they were misled into selling their shares for minimal amounts and many died without receiving any benefits.

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The committee says widespread mismanagement lack of transparency and alleged corruption have left farmworkers living in poor conditions and earning below the minimum wage.

An investigation into the circumstances surrounding these schemes including sales to private buyers has been requested.