S.Africa farms lay off over 1000 amid forced wage hike

Thousands of farm workers in South Africa have received dismissal notices, days after the government announced the minimum wage would rise by 52 percent, reaching 105 rand ($11.80, 8.70 euro) a day from March 1.

The move comes in response to deadly labour violence, which saw thousands of farm workers take to streets in protest at poor pay and conditions. But farmers have warned the new wage is unworkable. Workers are now being let go with a week's wage for every year of service.

Farm unrest began in the scenic fruit-and-wine-growing Cape region in November. At least three people have been killed. Workers -- many unskilled migrants -- are demanding better pay and conditions in a sector that is highly dependent on cheap mass labour. The strikes echoed those in the mining sector, which resulted in the deaths of at least 50 people and led to vast wage increases.

Source: AFP from Johannesburg