A banner from TUCOSWA on workers day 2024 in Mbabane Written by Fundizwi Sikhondze The 2024 International Workers Day on 1 May 2024 in Mbabane has become the talk of the country for so many reasons. One of the reasons was because the Prime Minister Russel Mmiso Dlamini was denied the rights to speak because the Public Address system was turned off unceremoniously causing for the whole occasion to collapse. The overall theme for workers day was, Social Justice and Decent Work for All. In this report it is our pleasure to present the message that the TUCOSWA leadership delivered to workers that day. The message, as per the tradition, was delivered by the Secretary General and entailed the following issues; 1. The Socio - Political situation In relation to this point TUCOSWA noted that the workers right to assembly and pursue or advance their common interests had been curtailed through what TUCOSWA described as an unconstitutional administrative order by the Minister of Housing and Ur
Workers listening to leaders speeches (file Picture) Written by Fundizwi Sikhondze A strike action that had run for close to a full month at agriculture plantation Crooks Limited recently ended with an agreement between the company and workers organised under the Swaziland Agricultural ,Plantations And Allied Workers Union (SAPWU). The strike action came after protracted negotiations that were threatening to spill over a new financial year. The end of the strike ,according to the SAPWU President Malungisa Dlamini ,came after intervention efforts by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. Amongst the issues agreed by the two parties were the following; 6.5% salary increase backdated to April 2023. Increase in education allowance from E1,800.00 to E1,900.00. increase in food rations for cane cutters from four (4) rations per month to six (6) rations. Freedom to take leave when needs arise instead of only being allowed to take leave at scheduled periods (at employers convenience)