3.
De Doorns: working conditions
It is clear that while the work remuneration at De Doorns is within the legal minimum ranges,
people work very hard, long days for very little money. The vast majority of these employees,
particularly the women, have children and other dependants at home in Zimbabwe, and apart
from surviving themselves, they have to pay rents and school fees, food and clothing, for
Zimbabwean‐based families of up to 5 children. In addition, they have to afford transport to
go home to visit their families, or to move on to other parts of South Africa in pursuit of
further work.
45% of respondents work for 9 hours a day or less while 26% work as long as 12 hours a day.
29% work either 10 or 11 hours a day.
Chart v: showing field of work in Zimbabwe, prior to leaving
Chart vi: showing weekly earnings in De Doorns
45
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