Ethical Audits

What is important when we talk about responsibilities toward seasonal and foreign labour in South African agriculture? For the majority of agricultural suppliers, the peak season typically occurs during harvests, when packhouses and processing facilities are operating at full capacity. For many South African farms and suppliers, seasonal workers are utilised during this time, and… Continue reading Ethical Employment Practices during Peak Season: Make SIZA a Lifestyle, Not Just a Compliance Initiative.

The festive season marks one of the busiest periods in South African agriculture. For many suppliers, this time coincides with harvest peaks, tight packing schedules, logistical challenges, and export deadlines. While much of the country winds down for the holidays, agricultural sectors such as table grapes, stone fruit, and subtropical fruit ramp up for their… Continue reading Worker Wellbeing and Social Responsibility During Festive Operations

The SIZA Standards are developed to encompass various South African laws, which cover topics like worker health and safety, environmental protection, and general labour and environmental management. Key legislation incorporated into the SIZA standards includes the National Environmental Management Act, the Labour Relations Act, the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, and the Constitution of South… Continue reading Which legal requirements form part of the SIZA Standards

The rules around cooking, fire safety, and legislation on farms can be complex and different for each farm. One of the main hazards often identified is the use of gas bottles by occupants in agri-worker accommodation. While gas bottles and stoves are common in daily life, their use in housing carries serious risks and strict… Continue reading Gas Bottles in Worker Accommodation – What’s Allowed?

Transporting workers is one of the highest-risk activities in agriculture, and many employers use third-party providers to move staff to and from farms or packhouses. While outsourcing transport can be practical, it is not always possible, and does not remove the producer’s responsibility to ensure that transport is safe, legal, and well-managed. The SIZA Transport Guide reminds… Continue reading Third-Party Worker Transport: Who’s Responsible?

Employment Equity (EE) is becoming an increasingly important topic for South African businesses, particularly with recent amendments to the Employment Equity Act (EEA). While not a direct SIZA audit checklist requirement, suppliers who operate in agriculture and related sectors should be aware of the legal obligations and the practical steps needed to stay compliant. The… Continue reading Employment Equity – What Resources are Out There?

As we approach the end of the citrus season in South Africa for most regions, it is remarkable to see how well citrus suppliers are performing in compliance. Audit results as of 1 April show a dramatic increase of 55% in the number of environmental audits conducted nationwide compared to last year. Even more impressive, 72% were… Continue reading South African Citrus Suppliers are making a Remarkable Impact.

In South Africa’s agricultural sector, it is not uncommon for suppliers to recruit workers from distant regions, especially during peak seasons. This is often necessary to maintain workforce stability when the local labour supply is insufficient or there is limited willingness to work in the industry. While this practice helps meet operational demands, it can… Continue reading Best Practices in Recruiting Seasonal Labour from Other Regions

Transportation in South Africa is governed by various legislation and frameworks, including the National Road Traffic Act, Sectoral Determination 13, Occupational Health and Safety Act and more. When businesses employ Temporary Employment Services (TES) and transport is provided, one must look at some critical components in ensuring their safety, well-being, and compliance with labour standards. The SIZA Transport Guide, developed to provide clear guidance for employers and auditors, outlines the importance of safe transportation for all workers, particularly those employed under TES arrangements.

One of the Principle Codes speaks to preventing and remedying child labour when conducting SIZA social audits. One of the most critical elements to verify is the age of workers, especially to ensure compliance with laws on child labour and young workers and to ensure that businesses do not knowingly or unknowingly employ employees who are not allowed to work. South Africa governs this by the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) and international standards such as the International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions. Businesses must implement effective systems to ensure they do not break the law.