Farm workers' resistance to exploration: A case study of the workers at Aussenkehr Karas region, Namibia
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Date
2021
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Namibia
Abstract
The central concern of this study was the exploitation of farm workers and the different strategies of resistance to such exploitation. The study used the conceptual framework of resistance ‘weapons of the weak’ by Scott. According to this theory, the weapons of the weak are manifested through everyday resistance to exploitation. The study was conducted at Aussenkehr farm situated along the banks of the Orange River, which forms the boundaries between Namibia and South Africa. The study was qualitative. The researcher used a semi-structured interview
guide to capture the experiences of workers. Workers' daily activities were also observed and recorded in the observation guide. The sample for this study was 29 farm workers both permanent and seasonal farmworkers at Aussenkehr. Although the production of grapes is an important component of the agricultural sector in
Namibia, and a lucrative industry for exports, the study found the living and the working conditions of farm workers in Aussenkehr to be exploitative. Most of the grape farm workers in Aussenkehr live in reed houses, with no sanitation, electricity, and access to clean running water and earn low wages. The results further revealed that there are gender disparities. It was difficult to detect any forms of overt and covert resistance because one would have had to live with the
community first to understand how the workers resist. The most common forms of resistance that were identified through the interviews conducted include gossiping, joking, name-calling and speaking in native languages. The workers preferred not to engage in any collective resistance due to the fear of losing their jobs, as strikes are strictly forbidden in their employment contracts. The most vocal workers are seen as a threat to the companies, and they are often removed with no explanation. The study also found the available social institutions to be weak and lacking the necessary capacity to fight exploitation and to forge resistance. Moreover, the trade unions only seem to serve the interests of the companies and not necessarily those of the workers.
Description
A research thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts (Sociology)
Keywords
Exploitation, Everyday resistance, Aussenkehr and farm workers