South Africa: Farm Women Workers Demand Action Against Distell’s Suppliers That Violate Workers’ Rights

WhatsAppWhatsAppFacebookFacebookTwitterTwitterPinterestPinterestRedditRedditGmailGmailShareShare

South AfricaSouth Africa South Africa Nearly 150 farm women workers marched to the offices of Distell in Stellenbosch, South Africa. They demanded strict action against Distell’s suppliers that disregard human and labour rights.

Distell is a multinational brewing and beverage company in South Africa. The company produces many well-known alcoholic drinks like Savanna cider, Amarula, Klipdrift brandy and a range of wines.

Reportedly, women who live and work on farms across the Western Cape, experience labour rights violations. According to the Women on Farms Project (WFP), they also experience a lack of sanitation, forceful evictions, and food insecurity.

WFP coordinated the march, which took place last Wednesday. WFP director, Colette Solomon, said that Distell’s seasonal workers who produce and harvest the produce are bracing themselves for tough months due to less salary.

Related Posts

The company had recently announced “record growth” at the end of its financial year. However, the workers are facing difficulties due to labour rights violations. The workers are facing food shortages at home. They are even unable to feed their family. Many workers reportedly live without electricity, water, or toilets.

The WFP wrote a memo to Richard Ruston, CEO of the company. According to the memorandum of WFP, the farm women demanded that Distell prevent and mitigate labour rights violations and housing rights violations. The workers asked the company to provide WFP with a list of all its supplying farms. A Distell representative reportedly accepted and signed the memo. WFP also posted the memo on its Instagram account. They reportedly made five demands to the company.

Reportedly, a worker said, “We work in the vineyard, we grow it, we prune it, we work with the fruit, but we get the least money.” According to the city press, many women working on farms are still paid below the minimum wage and are at a greater risk of being evicted from their homes in Stellenbosch.

About Dr. Neha Mathur

Join Dr. Neha Mathur on a journey of compassion and expertise as she navigates the intricate landscape of human rights and workers' welfare.

Dr. Neha Mathur

Join Dr. Neha Mathur on a journey of compassion and expertise as she navigates the intricate landscape of human rights and workers' welfare.

Recent Posts

Work-Life Balance the Japanese Way: What Is Yutori and Why You Need It

In today's frantic world, the Japanese philosophy of Yutori provides a refreshing alternative to the hustle mentality. Meaning "room to…

June 14, 2025

Taiwan Welcomes Filipinos with Extended Visa Free Entry Until 2026

An extension of Taiwan's visa-free travel programme for Philippine passport holders has been renewed for another year. This extension allows…

June 14, 2025

Judge Blocks Rubio’s Plan to Lay Off 2,000 State Department Employees

A federal judge in San Francisco has temporarily prevented Secretary of State Marco Rubio from laying off almost 2,000 U.S.-based…

June 14, 2025

eShram Card  for Unorganized Workers Full Guide: Who Can Apply, Required Documents and How to Check Balance

Launched on August 26, 2021 by the Ministry of Labour and Employment the eShram Card is the pioneering initiative of…

June 13, 2025

Unilever Under Fire: Ivory Coast Workers Accuse Unilever of Union Rights Violations

Employees at Unilever Côte d’Ivoire have alleged that the company severed its collective bargaining agreement with employees amid plans to…

June 13, 2025

Bulgaria Opens Doors to 70,000 Migrants Workers to Tackle Labour Shortage

During a parliamentary committee meeting, Bulgaria's social minister Borislav Gutsanov stated that between 50,000 and 70,000 migrants from foreign countries…

June 13, 2025