FARMWORKERS on average earn 69% more monthly than the presribed minimum wage, the Wage Survey 2012 of Agricultural Employers’ Association has shown.

The bi-annual survey, released last week, shows that the average monthly monetary remuneration of farmworkers (cash and rations) was N$1 454, 12% more than the 2010 survey. The average monthly cash salary was N$964, while the value of monthly rations was N$490.

The total package was therefore 69% higher than the minimum prescribed monthly wage of N$860.

The average total remuneration packet, including fringe benefits, was N$2 798 per monthly.

This is 11% higher than in the 2010 survey.

Fringe benefits include housing, free transport of school children to schools, free transport for farmworkers and their dependants to clinics and hospitals, as well as free keeping of cattle and other animals such as horses and donkeys.

Of the farmers that participated in the latest survey, 92% indicated that they also pay annual bonusses to their workers.

The average value of this was N$1 138 per worker.

In addition, 98% of participants said that their workers get wage increases.