Swaziland court bans public sector pay strike

The Industrial Court in the absolute monarchy of Swaziland (eSwatini) has banned a strike by public servants over pay because it is against ‘the national interest’.

Trade unions have been calling over the past three years for pay increases to meet rises in the cost of living. 

Unions had taken strike action in September 2019 but this was banned temporarily. Now, the court has made a judgment to ban it completely.

The unions involved in the court case were the National Public Service and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU) and the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT).

Swazi police had used teargas, rubber bullets, water cannon and live ammunition during the strike. At least 15 people were injured. The violence happened in Mbabane after what local media called ‘a long day of peaceful protest’. The police brutality was condemned by international human rights observers.

Judge Abande Dlamini in his judgment said that the national interest had been threatened by the strike. He blamed the violence on the union members. 

See also

Swaziland union leader shot by police during strike put his hands up and pleaded: don’t shoot

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2019/10/swaziland-union-leader-shot-by-police.html 

Swaziland police shoot union leader in back as peaceful workers’ protest turns into a ‘battlefield’

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2019/10/police-shoot-union-leader-in-back-as.html
 

Swaziland police fire rubber bullets and teargas injuring 15 during national strike

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2019/09/swaziland-police-fire-rubber-bullets.html
 

Swaziland police fire teargas into classroom packed with children

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2019/09/swaziland-police-fire-teargas-into.html

 

 Swaziland police brutality under attack from international workers’ group

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2019/10/swaziland-police-brutality-under-attack.html