Browsing by Author "Le Roux, Gerhard Burger"

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    Contributing and protective factors affecting the wellbeing of wine farm workers: perceptions of professionals
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-12) Le Roux, Gerhard Burger; Slabbert, Ilze; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Social Work.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Existing literature on wine farm workers is extremely scarce, with most sources either being outdated, or only focused on a specific aspect, like the ‘dop’ system. There has been no recent literature published which incorporates a holistic approach to identifying and addressing various challenges within their professional and personal lives. Consequently, wine workers are one of the most marginalised groups within South Africa. For this reason, leaving the unique challenges they face unidentified and unaddressed can lead to it having a serious negative impact on their wellbeing. Wine farm workers currently face a plethora of challenges within their professional and personal lives stemming from a disadvantageous past. Within the work context, these challenges include the nature of employment, work intensity, contracts, wages and deductions, occupational health and safety and risks to employment. On the other hand, challenges pertaining to living conditions include on-farm housing, alcohol abuse, patriarchal families, and lack of access to resources. Both the current work context and living conditions result in factors negatively contributing towards the wellbeing of wine farm workers. To combat these negative factors, they have various protective factors at their disposal, which are in principle designed to protect and promote their wellbeing. These include policy and legislation, ethical trade associations, trade unions, agritourism, advocating and activist groups and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), as well as Employee Wellness Programmes (EWPs). Against this backdrop, this r esearch study was aimed at identifying and understanding the contributing and protective factors affecting the wellbeing of wine farm workers through the perceptions of professionals. A qualitative research approach was used in order to record rich accounts from participants, whereas descriptive and exploratory research designs were utilised to affirm their various perceptions. The study utilised non-probability, purposive and snowball sampling in particular to identify appropriate participants, Ultimately, a total of 16 participants participated in the study consisting of two equally split groups. Because of the study’s focus on the perceptions of professionals regarding contributing and protective factors affecting the wellbeing of wine farm workers, these two groups consisted of farm managers and social workers working within the field of EWPs. Interviews incorporated a semi-structured interview schedule, with data gathered being analysed using a thematic content analysis approach.The studies research document consisted of two literature chapters, an empirical study and conclusions and recommendations. The first literature chapter explored the various factors that negatively contribute towards to the wellbeing of wine farm workers. In short, it described historical factors, work context and living conditions as being the main contributors negatively affecting the wellbeing of wine farm workers. The second literature chapter identified protective factors such as policy and legislation, ethical trade associations, trade unions, agritourism, advocating and activist groups and NGOs, as well as EWP services. It went on to evaluate the effectiveness of each of the above mentioned protective factors in positively contributing towards the wellbeing of wine farm workers. Chapter four, the empirical study, presented data collected from participants and literature in an integrated manner. The final chapter contained the conclusions and recommendations of the research study based on the data collected. The main conclusion drawn from the findings is that wine farm workers work under extreme working conditions, defined by a physically high workload for minimum pay. This is often accompanied by issues regarding relationships, job insecurity and a lack of new employment opportunities. On-farm housing remains volatile, with many wine farm workers having to live in inadequate and overpopulated housing. This is worsened by cultural habits exemplified by habitual drinking and violence, as well as ignorance and inexperience. Wine farm workers have been left powerless in addressing their current working- and living conditions due to the lack of effectiveness from protective factors. This has resulted in workers having limited resources at their disposal, in most cases only ethical auditing associations, agritourism and EWPs. Ultimately, policy and legislation, trade unions and advocating and activist groups and NGOs have all failed in their functions contributing towards the vulnerability of wine farm workers. These protective factors should reassess their contributions and improve co-operation for holistic intervention.