Workers not Slaves: Empowering Farmworker Communities
Land: Sydafrika
Partnere: Trust for Community Outreach and Education; Commercial, Stevedoring, Agriculture and Allied Workers Union
Bevilliget beløb: kr. 499,704.00
Projekt start: 12/15/2018 Projekt slut: 6/30/2020
The objective of the intervention is to create circumstances that allow for members of CSAAWU, a South African agricultural workers union, and their surrounding community to feel comfortable and supported in participating and organising actively in the local struggle for labour rights and better living conditions. The intervention will take place in the Western Cape province of South Africa, and will build on the existing partnership between the Trust For Community Outreach and Education (TCOE), the trade union Commercial, Stevedoring, Agricultural and Allied Workers Union (CSAAWU), and the international solidarity organisation Afrika Kontakt (AK).
Overordnet mål:
The primary objective of the intervention is to create better conditions for farm workers and for their communities to engage and participate in the struggle for labour and human rights in rural Western Cape, South Africa. The main assumption is that before people on the ground can actively participate and put issues on the agenda, they need to feel safe, supported and informed.
Umiddelbare mål:
The intervention builds on three immediate objectives:
1. Farming communities will have strong representatives, who are knowledgeable on labour rights and regulations, and able to support them and advocate for their rights, locally and nationally.
2. Women will be able to address gender issues on farms, and take on responsibilities and leadership within the union.
3. Members can rely on staff to ensure financial and organisational sustainability and accountability
Målgruppe:
1. The farm workers, particularly, but not limited to, the members of CSAAWU, as well as their communities. 2. Women farm workers and community members are addressed as a separate target group. 3. Shop stewards are an important target group in this intervention as they form the link between workers and both workplace management and the union leadership. 4. The elected leaders of CSAAWU are in most cases current or previous farm workers, and therefore have intimate understanding of the issues at hand.
Indikatorer:
- Shop stewards addressing labour issues in the work space and improvements of working conditions.
- The shop stewards will report to staff on progress and setbacks, resulting in reports and articles for internal and media distribution.
- Stronger membership activity and empowerment.
- The focus on female members will inspire a growth of female leadership in CSAAWU.
- The establishment off a membership database.
- Strategical plans for the union, fundraising proposals, advocacy work.
