Skip to main content

MEC launches investigation into wine industry work conditions

| Wine and liquor

The Western Cape MEC of economic opportunities Alan Winde will investigate allegations of dire employment conditions for those working in the wine industry after a documentary by a Danish filmmaker painted a bleak picture showing the exploitation of employees.

Reports emerged of some Danish businesses boycotting the sale of South African wines after the airing of Tom Heinemann's documentary in Sweden and Denmark last week.

Winde in a statement on Tuesday said the allegations are viewed in a serious light.
 
"I have directed my department to investigate the matter further and submit an interim report to my office within the next two weeks. The Western Cape government stands firmly behind the rule of law in all cases," he said.
 
The wine industry nationally provides 289 000 jobs and is an important employer, especially in rural areas, Winde explained.

"To offer assistance to workers in the agriculture sector, the Western Cape government has put in place a dedicated support unit which immediately investigates any instances of employee-employer grievances brought to its attention.

"We have world-class wine farms and programmes that ensure ethical and globally recognised best practice. Issues in this industry are not the norm, and we therefore take very seriously any matters raised with us."

Winde said non-profit company VinPro, along with industry bodies, labour and the provincial government, would engage with stakeholders, including Danish retail and the Swedish liquor authority, Systembolaget.

Pin It

Related Articles

This week, Makro has launched its Festive liquor catalogue for 2023 - which its buyers explain is carefully crafted around local and international consumer trends. This year, the retailer managed to secure exclusive products from brands such as De...
Checkers has added 41 new limited edition wines to its Odd Bins collection, of which two were awarded Double Gold and Gold at the prestigious Michelangelo International Wine and Spirits Awards earlier this month. 
South African consumers will have to dig deeper in their pockets at the tills this festive season, with food prices set to rise on the back of rising petrol prices, feed, and input costs.
Filling a 45-litre tank will cost South African motorists around R55 more from tomorrow (3 November 2021).
CRM global leader Salesforce predicted that consumers would face higher prices this coming Festive Season.