In a study on the living and working conditions of farmworkers, released last week, LaRRI recommended that the minimum wage agreement [currently N$429 a month] be amended to allow for a distinction between three categories of farmers.

These categories are: white established commercial farmers, black emerging commercial farmers and communal farmers.

LaRRI argued that white commercial farmers generally find the stipulated amount "more affordable" than black commercial and communal farmers, who in some cases struggle to cope.

The AEA notes that the minimum wage aims to ensure that farmworkers earn enough to keep them on or above the breadline.

"LaRRI's recommendation on a differentiated minimum wage for the sub-sectors is not supported by the AEA, as the [present] legislation endeavours to ensure an income above the breadline, irrespective of the sub-sector," says AEA Chairman Helmut Fortsch.

The AEA also pointed out in a statement last week that a clause in the minimum wage agreement could lend itself to misinterpretation.

The agreement stipulates an hourly wage of N$2,20, which equals a monthly salary of N$429 for employees working 45 hours a week.

"In cases where employees work less than 45 hours per week, this could result in a lower monthly wage than N$429 (even if the owner) complies with the legislation," the AEA said.

The AEA also questioned the LaRRI report's findings on alleged verbal and physical abuse of farmworkers.

"Before LaRRI conducted the study they provided the AEA with questionnaires for both employees and employers and no questions were found which could lead to such findings.

We thus query the consistency of the interviews on this aspect," the association said.

However, the AEA welcomed the study and suggested that the recommendations made by LaRRI be discussed further by all parties involved in the Namibia Agricultural Labour Forum (NALF).

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