Less than
a week after Swaziland was reported to be among the top
ten worst nations in the world for workers’ rights, the International Labour
Organization (ILO) has told Swaziland it must stop interfering in the
activities of trade unions; ensure workers’ organizations are fully assured of
their rights and ensure they have the autonomy and independence they need to
represent workers.
The ILO
also joined
other respected international organizations in calling for the immediate
release of jailed lawyer and writer Thulani Maseko, who is serving a two-year
jail sentence, some of it in solitary
confinement, after writing magazine articles critical of the Swazi
judiciary.
The ILO
has placed Swaziland in a ‘special paragraph’ in its report to highlight the
deficiencies in the kingdom’s commitment to freedom of association.
Swaziland
is ruled by King Mswati III, sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch.
Political parties are banned from taking part in elections and the King selects
the government and top judges. People, including trade unionists, who speak in
favour of democratic reform are arrested
and jailed as ‘terrorists’ under the kingdom’s Suppression
of Terrorism Act.
The ILO
has been meeting in Geneva, Switzerland. In its final report it urged the
Swaziland Government ‘without further delay’ to:
1 Release
unconditionally Thulani Maseko and all other workers imprisoned for having exercised
their right to free speech and expression;
2 Ensure
all workers’ and employers’ organizations in the country are fully
assured their freedom of association rights in relation to the registration
issue, in particular register ATUSWA [Amalgamated Trade Union of Swaziland] without
further delay;
3 Amend Section
32 of the Industrial Relations Act to eliminate the discretion of the
Commissioner of Labour to register trade unions;
4 Ensure
organizations are given the autonomy and independence they need and fulfil
their mandate and represent their constituents. The Government should refrain
from all acts
of interference in the activities of trade unions;
5 Investigate
arbitrary interference by police in lawful, peaceful
and legitimate trade union activities and hold accountable those
responsible;
6 Amend
the 1963 Public
Order Act following the work of the consultant, and the Suppression
of Terrorism Act, in consultation with the social partners, to bring them
into compliance with Convention
87 [Concerning Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to
Organise];
7 Adopt
the Code of Practice without any further delay and ensure its effective
application in practice;
8 Address
the outstanding issues in relation to the Public
Services Bill and the Correctional Services Bill in consultation with the
social partners;
9 Accept
technical assistance in order to complete the legislative reform outlined above
so that Swaziland is in full compliance with Convention No 87.
See also
SWAZILAND
IN TOP TEN WORST FOR WORKERS
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