Public service unions in Swaziland / eSwatini are set
to strike on 16 September 2019, if they can get permission of the courts to do
so.
Swaziland is ruled by absolute monarch King Mswati III
and is not a democracy and industrial action can be stopped by the Industrial
Court.
The unions are in a long-running dispute about pay
increases to cover the rise in the cost of living. They had planned the strike
last year and again in January 2019 but the Industrial Court ruled that it was
‘political’ because the strike-call referred to the government’s bad handling
of the economy.
The government says it cannot afford to pay increases.
Last month the Industrial Court confirmed the strike was illegal but also
noted in its judgement that a strike that was called only for the purposes
of gaining increased wages was not.
At a meeting on Tuesday (6 August 2019), four unions
united as the Public Sector Associations (PSA), decided on the date. They were
the National Public Service and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU), Swaziland
National Association of Teachers (SNAT), Swaziland Nurses Association (SNA) and
the Swaziland Government Accountants Personnel (SNAGAP).
After the meeting SNAT Secretary General Sikelela
Dlamini, told
the Times of Swaziland the PSA would be guided by the Industrial
Court ruling and prepare and issue new notices for the strike action slated for
September 16, 2019.
The unions are also planning a series of other actions
in the lead up to the strike.
The newspaper added, ‘Dlamini then highlighted why
they resolved to engage in the proposed industrial action. He said seemingly,
government was not willing to reimburse them the 14.5 percent which had been
eroded by inflation rate from their salaries during the 2017/18 and 2018/19
financial years. He said in 2017/18 financial year, the erosion, was 7.85
percent while in the 2018/19 year it stood at 6.55 percent.’
See also
Swaziland
Industrial Court paves way for public servants to strike legally
Swaziland
public service unions call national strike to march on government
Industrial
Court stops Swaziland public servants strike at last minute
Swaziland
public servants prepare for pay strike amid fears of renewed police violence
against them
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