Unions
We have a strong union movement in South Africa. In 2013 there were 191 unions registered with the Department of Labour. Many are grouped into bigger federations. The three main federations operate in different parts of the economy, but sometimes join for mass action, e.g. to protest against unpopular changes to labour laws. They are, in order of membership size:
• The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) – www.cosatu.org.za (1,8 million)
• The Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa) – www.fedusa.org.za (500 000)
• The National Council of Trade Unions (Nactu) – www.nactu.org.za (250 000)

There are some unions that specifically represent farm workers:
The Commercial, Stevedoring, Agricultural and Allied Workers Union (Csaawu): This small Western Cape union has no website but was involved in in the 2012 strikes.
The Bawsi Agricultural Workers Union of South Africa (BAWUSA): This small Western Cape union has no website but can be contacted via admin@bawsi.org.za.
The Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU): This is a big union that tries to address the concerns of farm workers. View their website.

The Department of Labour – www.labour.gov.za
This government department publishes laws to do with labour practices and has inspectors who can make sure companies are following the labour laws.

The South African Labour Guide – www.labourguide.co.za
On this website you can find an alphabetical list of all registered trade unions in South Africa.

Lawyers for Human Rights – www.lhr.org.za/programme
This organisation provides free legal services and has a special project relevant to the current topic: it helps farm workers. They also have a special project for Mozambican migrant mineworkers, including those who have retired. These people have a long history of working in our mines, and many are unaware of their rights to do with this.

PASSOP (People against Suffering, Oppression and Poverty) – www.passop.co.za
Many farm workers come from neighbouring countries and this organisation is set up to look after the rights of ‘asylum seekers, refugees and immigrants in South Africa’. Their website has a special section outlining the rights of farmworkers: www.passop.co.za/your-rights/farmworkers-rights.

The Black Sash – www.blacksash.org.za
This organisation promotes human rights and social justice and aims to help the most marginalised in South Africa. Their website outlines the main points of the Labour Relations Act and they have a free helpline (072-66 33 739 or help@blacksash.org.za) that gives help on legal and rights issues.

The South African Human Rights Commission – www.sahrc.org.za
These Commissioners are appointed by Parliament and their task is to get all South Africans to respect and observe human rights, and to investigate, report on and take steps to stop human rights violations (people not getting their rights) and get help for victims.

Public Protector – www.pprotect.org
This government office investigates and helps to put right unlawful or improper actions by government departments or employees.

There are many organisations that are involved in the protection of human rights generally in South Africa. Click here to view these organisations’ contact details.