News

Vote of Confidence in Waitrose Foundation Worker Committees

The growing confidence and efficiency of Waitrose Worker Committees responsible for social wellness on Foundation member-farms are evident in the consistent quality of decisions made and projects implemented by these Committees. The resources received from the Waitrose Foundation for on-farm social initiatives are increasingly directed towards high priority challenges faced by communities. In an attempt to significantly improve the quality of life in farm worker communities, Foundation resources are used to introduce innovative initiatives aimed at resolving persistent social issues rather than just sustaining ongoing projects.

The Foundation invites members to form part of a small group of farms that manage their funds independently where a Grower (together with the farm’s Worker Committee) is able to:

• sustain a successful and consistent social development programme
• invest in social development initiatives beyond the scope of the contribution by the Waitrose Foundation
• employ a fulltime facilitator or coordinator for on-farm social development
• establish an independent legal entity for social initiatives and resources with majority worker representation on the governing structure

Two farms, Mouton Citrus in Citrusdal and Komati Estate in Mpumalanga, joined this small group of independent Foundation members in 2018. These members together with Westfalia (Tzaneen) and Monteith Trust (Elgin), that have been part of this group for 2 years already, are setting examples of significant and sustainable social development initiatives in rural communities where the workers’ voice is heard in a participatory development processes.

We are looking forward to seeing these Worker Committees grow even more in future and to experience the positive impact they have in their respective communities.