GOVT WANTS TO VETO UNION VISITS

A Government minister has warned workers in the kingdom that they cannot invite trade unionists from overseas to Swaziland without permission.

Lufto Dlamini, Minister of Labour and Social Security, said Swazi unions could not have any meetings with organisations which had not informed government of their mission.

He was reacting to a meeting that took place yesterday (21 May 2012) between Swazi unionists and a delegation of workers from the UK and the Netherlands.

‘Any organisation or union that comes into the country for any meeting must first inform government through the relevant ministry. There is protocol that has to be observed before they come into the country,’ Dlamini told media in Swaziland. 

He added, ‘I am not aware of this meeting as nothing was formally communicated with the ministry. Any members of an organisation or union who come into the country have to ask for permission from government and state their agenda.’

Mduduzi Gina, of the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA), said the meeting was held to discuss various issues, including the recent deregistration of TUCOSWA by the government.