Towards the end of 2011, the Portfolio Committee convened a meeting with various stakeholders to discuss conditions of farm workers in the country. Some of the recommendations that were proposed in that meeting included various ways in which Parliament could conduct effective oversight, i.e. by involving various stakeholders who are actively involved in the sector. As a result, the committee undertook the oversight trip with the objective of assessing how labour inspectors perform their duties in this sector in order to understand their daily challenges and to avoid making unreasonable expectations and recommendations that are misplaced and impractical. It is therefore proper to state that, the committee's visit was based on building cooperation amongst stakeholders, to ensure that the sector understands the benefits in the proper application of the labour law (to build pleasant workplace relations and to ensure decent living standards for all workers). Moreover the oversight visit was a continuation of the work that the committee had already initiated in 2011 of contributing towards a Decent Work Agenda. Whereas the agricultural sector is critical in creating employment in the South African economy, however this should be achieved within the confines of guaranteeing rights at work, extending social protection and promoting social dialogue. To fully achieve Decent Work Agenda objectives, work should ensure that work standards are benchmarked against international best practices.