SWAZI FIREFIGHTERS THREATEN STRIKE

Firefighters in Swaziland are threatening to strike because they are being forced to work in ‘appalling conditions’. Government funding is so bad they have to buy their own uniforms and safety equipment.

‘We have been buying ourselves uniforms because it takes years for the department to supply us and the quality is deplorable for us, as we need heat-resistant uniforms due to the environment we work under,’ one firefighter told the Observer on Saturday newspaper (26 May 2018). 

With the wild grass fire season starting, firefighters say they do not have masks to prevent smoke inhalation. Other equipment such as gloves are also not available.

One officer told the newspaper there were also problems in the fire stations and dormitories. It added, ‘Firefighters said the Mbabane station was just a health hazard to employees, they said if health inspectors could do their work at the station, no doubt it could be closed.’

Firefighters said they had to buy lightbulbs for the guard house and had inadequate heating. They also said their communications system was no longer working and they often had to use their own cell phones during emergencies.

Swaziland National Fire and Emergency Services (SNFES) spokesperson Herbert Shabangu told the newspaper, ‘It’s a trying moment for the government department as there is no money for doing most of the key things for emergency service.’

If they do strike, the firefighters could find themselves in legal trouble. The Swazi Government in 2015 declared SNFES personnel were ‘a uniformed service’ like the police and army and were not permitted to strike.

Firefighters are members of the National Public Service and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU).

See also

FIREFIGHTERS ‘ORDERED TO CHURCH’

https://swazimedia.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/firefighters-ordered-to-chuch.html

FIREFIGHTERS ‘ORDERED TO CHUCH’

Firefighters in Swaziland are angry that they are being forced by their bosses to attend Christian church services.

A memo has been issued to stations across the kingdom advising that staff should attend Tuesday fellowship services.

The Observer on Saturday newspaper in Swaziland reported (20 May 2017) the memo from Chief Fire Officer Dumisani Khumalo read in part, ‘Officers-in-Charge are commanded to give support to these services by motivating officers under their command to attend these services. Such services headquarters consider them playing a major role such as counselling in various social problems encountered by officers. It also promotes unity among the workforce fraternity. However, headquarters is compelled to request for your support towards the success of these fellowship services.’

The newspaper reported that some firefighters felt they were being forced to follow the Christian religion and this was against their constitutional rights.

One firefighter was reported by the newspaper saying, ‘We cannot, therefore, have someone forcing down Christianity to us. It would have been better if the fellowship was conducted in such a way that all the religions are followed so that we also have the Muslims, the Bahais and those that believe in ancestors all accommodated,’ he said. 

Forcing people to follow Christianity is contentious in Swaziland where King Mswati III rules as sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch. In January 2017 a directive was issued  by the Swazi Government which is handpicked by the King that Christianity was to be the only religion taught in schools.

The move was considered to be against the spirit, if not the letter, of the Swazi Constitution. When the 2005 Constitution was being drafted, it was decided not to insist that Swaziland was a Christian country. This was to encourage freedom of religion. 

Lawyers for Human Rights spokesperson Sabelo Masuku said although Swaziland was predominantly Christian, the Government had to consider the Swazi Constitution which made it clear there was freedom of religious choice.

See also

SCHOOLS RELIGIOUS TEACHING SHAKE-UP

http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2017/01/schools-religious-teaching-shake-up.html

SCHOOLS RELIGION BAN PROTESTS GROW

http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2017/01/schools-religion-ban-protests-grow.html