WIETA is greatly supported by the agricultural industry, with membership increasing from 400 in 2012 to 1 500 in 2020. Membership is open to anybody within the agricultural industry, who is committed to ethical trade, with applicants required to abide by the constitution and to support the objectives of the organisation.
Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trade Association members are expected to adopt an ethical value system and social accountability model which needs to be integrated into their business policies and procedures. In the absence of such a system, members are expected to proactively adopt WIETA’s ethical code.
Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trade Association members also need to embrace interventions that would help to improve the living and working conditions of their labourers and actively demonstrate and communicate their commitment to ethical trade to staff and down the supply chains.
Members are subjected to periodic audits, which may or may not be announced, to ensure compliance with labour, occupational health and safety legislation, and to ensure members ascribe to the WIETA values.
In 2012 WIETA launched a Fair Labour Certification Seal for wine packages, which signifies that all producers, growers, cellars and bottling facilities contributing to the production of that specific wine adhered to the association’s ethical standards, policies and procedures.
Trade union members and non-governmental organisations are seen as valuable partners, with the unions raising awareness of worker’s rights and the non-government organisations helping to provide training, capacity building and research to improve worker conditions and bring meaningful change.
Government’s participation in the association creates an opportunity to identify ways for WIETA and government to work together in ensuring effective service delivery that is affecting compliance with the code in under-resourced rural areas.
South African wine is renowned across the world, with South African wine estates producing quality wine vintages every year. South African w...