South African farm workers burned more than 30 hectares of vineyards in protest over low wages. The workers, who are on strike, say that they cannot live on the 5 euros a day that they are paid. One farm owner was arrested after he fired thousands of workers. The strike began on October 30, and workers say no one paid attention until they began burning the vineyards. Workers say that the grapes they produce are exported, and that the farmers make a large profit from the sales. A 2011 report found that workers had poor living conditions and were exposed to fertilizers and pesticides without protection.
See "South Africa: striking workers burn vineyards in protest over 'hunger wages'", Mandy de Waal, November 7, 2012