DIE INDIENSNEMING VAN PLAASWERKERS IN DIE RSA

Abstract

It was found from data in the Agricultural Census reports of 1976, 1981 and 1988 that the distribution of the amount of farm workers per hectare differs between statistical regions as defined by the Sentral Statistical Service. Cross-sectional functions were fitted to explain the differences. The following factors yielded the highest contributions: gross income, debt burden per hectare, compensation of workers, quality of resources and the amount of tractors in the region. The goverment's policy regarding interest rates, marketing and general aid has a significant influence on the mobility (demand and supply) of farm workers. Changes in Goverment aid to farmers may thus activate shifts of workers within and out of ariculture. The supply of farm workers is inelastic. This may be ascribed to the former act on influx control, low interest rates which caused labour substitution and the accompanying low compensation of farm workers. Labour is utilised sub-optimally while unemployment is on the order of the day. Minimum wages are advocated by various circles as means to rectify the situation. Minimum wages may however lead to more capital/labour substitution and associated unemployment. Subsidisation of farm labour over a medium term should have a positive influence on employment. The subsidy should be phased out as employment approaches optimality.

Uittreksel

Vanuit data in die landbousensusverslae van 1976, 1981 en 1988 is gevind dat die verdeling van die hoeveelheid plaaswerkers per hektaar verskil tussen statistiese streke soos gedefinieer deur die Sentrale Statistiekdiens. Dwarssnit funksies is gepas om die verskille te verklaar. Daar is gevind dat die volgende faktore 'n bydrae lewer: bruto inkomste, skuldlas per hektaar, vergoeding aan arbeid, hulpbronkwaliteit en aantal trekkers in die streek. Die owerheid se beleid met betrekking tot rentekoerse, bemarkingsbeleid en algemene hulpmaatreëls het 'n beduidende invloed op die mobiliteit (vraag en aanbod) van plaaswerkers. Veranderings in hulpmaatreëls deur die owerheid kan dus arbeids verskuiwings binne die landbou en uit die landbou veroorsaak. Die aanbod van arbeid is onelasties. Dit kan toegeskryf word aan die gewese wet op toestromingsbeheer, lae rentekoerse wat arbeid substitusie veroorsaak het en gepaardgaande lae salarisse wat aan plaasarbeiders betaal word. Arbeid word sub-optimaal benut terwyl werkloosheid aan die orde van die dag is. Minimumlone word uit verskeie oorde bepleit om die situasie reg te stel. Minimumlone kan egter aanleiding gee tot nog groter kapitaal/arbeidsubstitusie en die gepaardgaande werkloosheid. Die subsidieering van plaasarbeid oor 'n medium termyn behoort 'n positiewe uitwerking op indiensneming te hê. Die subsidie moet uitfaseer word namate die indiensneming van arbeid optima nader.