OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS, LIVING-CONDITIONS, AND PHYSICAL ASSAULT OF SUGAR-CANE WORKERS IN KWAZULU-NATAL, SOUTH-AFRICA

Objectives. To characterise the occupational hazards and living condit ions of sugar cane workers in KwaZulu-Natal. Design. Based on informat ion provided by shop stewards, a survey instrument (questionnaire) was constructed for administration to union members. Setting. Seven sugar cane farms and estates owned by one large corporation in late 1993. S ubjects. Members of the South African Farm and Allied Workers Union (S AFAWU).Results. Of the 632 participants, 50% were permanent workers, 2 2.3% were seasonal workers and 27.7% were casual workers. Mean daily p ay ranged from R5 to R35 per worker. The majority of participants repo rted substandard housing both during the growing season and during the off-season. Percentages reporting health problems in the last 12 mont hs believed by the respondent to be caused or made worse by work inclu ded 79% with eye problems, 78% with upper respiratory problems, 88% wi th lower respiratory problems, 93% with musculoskeletal problems, and 81% with an acute traumatic injury. More than half the participants re ported fainting, collapsing or illness from working on hot or sunny da ys. Fourteen per cent reported being struck with the fist or hand, or being pushed, shoved or kicked by a farm owner, member of the owner's family, manager or supervisor; 9% reported being struck with an object , whipped, or attacked or threatened with knife or gun by one of these same individuals. Conclusions. Sugar cane workers employed by a large corporation in KwaZulu-Natal appear to face severe threats to their p hysical and psychological well-being including: (i) inadequate pay to meet basic living needs; (ii) substandard living conditions; (iii) sig nificant occupational hazards resulting in high reported levels of occ upational illness and injury; and (iv) physical and psychological abus e and intimidation by farm owners and their agents.