SWAZI WORKERS BEGIN STRIKE

The two day ‘stay away’ strike undertaken by workers in Swaziland attracted attention in the international news media. Here is what the Voice of America (VOA) radio station had to say hours before strike action was due to start. This extract is taken from the Internet

This coverage is in contrast to that of the Swaziland government-controlled SBIS radio which did not report at all on the strike action in its bulletins on Wednesday breakfast time.

Unlike most coverage in the Swaziland newspapers and broadcasting, this VOA report gives the news from the strikers’ point of view.

Workers and students in Swaziland are expected to embark on a two-day indefinite strike action starting today (Wednesday) to press home their demand for a multi-party democracy. Although the government of King Mswati III recently introduced a new constitution, the strike leaders say political parties are still not allowed to contest general elections scheduled for next year.

They are therefore demanding the introduction of a genuine system of democracy. Meanwhile the government has warned the workers against the industrial action, saying they stand a chance of losing their jobs.

Vincent Ncongwane is one of the strike leaders. He told VOA that the government would not intimidate them.

‘There are three things that we are asking of this government. The first one is that we want the government to amend the text legislation. The second thing is, we have in Swaziland the provident fund. But we want the legislation to be amended to allow people who are retrenched to access their benefits under that fund. We want people to access this benefit on submission of a letter from their employer concerning their retrenchment. The last thing, Swaziland next year is going to be facing parliamentary elections, and we are saying we want to see those parliamentary elections allowing people to be elected on the basis of a political party ticket, ” Ncongwane pointed out.

He said it is not enough for the government to tell the public they have a bill of right under the new constitution.

“We have always said to government the issue of saying we’ve got a bill of right. But as things stand now, it is no more as to whether political parties are legal in Swaziland. Government itself has said that is a matter to be determined by the court. We are saying this issue… is okay on other things, but when you deal with the issue real participation within the constitution. The issue of individual merit, which is section 79 of the constitution makes a mockery of the very issue of freedom to associate,” he said.

Ncongwane said it was unfortunate that Swaziland is the only country within the sub-region that has so far refused attempts at multi-party democracy.

“In so far as Swaziland is a signatory to the SADC (Southern African Development Community) protocol on elections, which protocol even allows the funding of political parties, the question we ask ourselves is, why did they become part of that particular protocol when they know very well that in terms of the system in Swaziland, it is a mockery to talk of political parties? In fact at best it is a social club. So we are asking the government to honor its signature,” Ncongwane said.

Ncongwane said even though the government has so far resisted any attempt at democracy, the public would not rest until the country becomes democratic.

“We are aware there would be resistance, but what we cannot do is to sit back and fold our hands. We believe that we cannot be just the only ones in the region who are without a multiparty system,” he said.

An interview with Ncongwane on VOA is available here

In Swaziland the two daily newspapers are not sympathetic to the strike.

The main item on the front page of the Swazi Observer ‘Essential Service Not Affected’ reports that the government says it is ready to negotiate on a process to deal with the issues that are at the heart of the protest action by labour unions.

The state has, however, appealed that there should be no disruptions to the economy, stating that the no-work-no-pay principle would apply to those who absent themselves from work.

The Observer also published a full page editorial comment, ‘Nation Held to Ransom’, in which it claims that the strike action will badly affect Swaziland’s ailing economy. But it concludes, ‘We daresay the majority of the five outstanding demands are important and they touch upon the very welfare of the Swazi nation.’

The Times of Swaziland, also on its front page, takes an unusual angle claiming that people will be unable to cash pay cheques because banks will be closed. Under the headline ‘Strike to Spoil Pay Day’, the Times reports, ‘Getting paid today and tomorrow might prove difficult as bank employees are expected to join the protest action, which begins today.’

In a clear attempt to set people against the strikers, the report continues, ‘Most employees are paid around this time of the month and if there are no bank tellers, the situation for people with debts might prove unbearable.’

The workers’ demands are:


1. Taxation of terminal benefits and other benefits

Workers demand the changes per attached write up to be effected from the 1st July 2007. In this demand, they say government should desist from increasing its revenue base by taxing benefits, even where such would have adverse effect to some lowly paid workers.

2. Amendment of the SNPF Order

Workers propose the amendment, without further delay, to allow payment of SNPF benefits to all employees who have been retrenched, on production of such confirmation from the employer.

3. Application of part X111 of the Employment Act of 1980 of the tender board on public contracts

The Section calls for ensuring that contractors/service providers paid out of public funds adhere to basic minimum standards as provided for in the various Wages Orders.

4. Consultation with the public on privatisation

In the mediation by CMAC during the 2003 protest action notice, government was to discuss this issue with the unions. It promised to provide its privatisation policy, where after, it would then engage the unions. The policy was provided, but no meeting or workshop on this topic ever took place. All we have heard is that government is rolling out its privatisation process," the union says.

Government is proceeding with the privatisation policy without proper consultation even in line with the policy it adopted.

5. 2008 Parliamentary election to be held under a multi-party system.