THE South African agricultural industry association, Agri SA, is studying the new wage increases for the farm and forestry workers sector announced by the Department of Labour on Tuesday last week.
In a media statement they said they cannot comment if the increases are fair or not.
The minimum wage will come into effect on 1 March and will be applicable until 28 February 2019.
Employees are set to benefit from a 5.6% increase based on a 9-hour shift.
The new wages are R3 169.19 (monthly), R731.41 (weekly), R146.28 (daily) and R16.25 (hourly).
Agri SA does not represent workers, but organised agriculture, and says it would be unfair to offer an opinion.
Agri SA said farming is hard, intensive work, and the organisation appreciates the contribution of each farmer and worker. The agriculture industry is and has been experiencing intense pressure owing to a number of factors, of which the changing weather patterns is one.
The association believes wages must remain affordable and a balance needs to be maintained, otherwise farming will become unsustainable.
This could lead to possible job losses or farmers having to stop farming.
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