Africa-Press – Lesotho. More than one hundred and twenty (120) Basotho from various districts in the country have since Monday been recruited to work as temporary labourers at ZZ2 farm in the Western Cape, South Africa.
Acting District Labour Officer, Ms. Rethabile Lebatla, in an interview with the Agency confirmed that the workers will be employed under contracts renewable annually until 2028, in line with requirements set by South Africa’s Department of Immigration and Labour.
She explained that the labourers will be engaged in farm activities such as onion harvesting and weeding in apple orchards in preparation for the fruit harvest. Each worker will earn M256.00, paid fortnightly, and will receive free transport from the District Labour office to the farm.
Ms. Lebatla who is also the Senior Occupational Health and Safety Inspector, added that more Basotho are expected to be recruited next week by other farms, including Doorkraal Agri, Wakkerstroom, Howbill, Klaapdag, and OBK, which have pledged to hire additional workers.
She noted that while the number of farms legally recruiting Basotho has dropped from 47 since 2016 due to restrictions by South Africa’s Labour Department on hiring foreign workers, many Basotho continue to work as irregular migrants in farms. She stressed the need for both governments to address this issue.
According to Ms. Lebatla, the provision of work permits would help curb challenges such as human trafficking and ensure that the rights of Basotho working abroad are protected. It would also reduce cases where workers are deported or go missing.
Quthing District, she highlighted, is particularly vulnerable due to its porous Tele border, which is frequently used by irregular migrants crossing into South Africa to seek farm work.
More than 500 Basotho labourers were recruited for SA Farmers during this season last year
