Eswatini Labour Insight

The Swaziland Commercial and Allied Workers Union (SCAWU) is a TUCOSWA affiliate trade union that organises workers in the retail sector. The retail sector is one (if not THE ) worst affected sectors in the eSwatini economy by the recent spate of burning and looting that recently engulfed the country. The SLI recently had a conversation with the Secretary General of SCAWU Comrade Philasande Mthethwa (Pictured below) wherein he shared SCAWU's insights about retail sector workers  experiences and perspectives in the wake of the civil unrest.  PICTURE: SCAWU SECRETARY GENERAL COMRADE PHILASANDE MTHETHWA 1.       1. Swazi Labour Insight (SLI) :   How has the burning and looting affected workers in the retail sector? Philasande Mthethwa (PM):  The burning and looting posed a serious threat to the safety of all retail workers. During the looting some workers had to be locked inside the stores as violence rocked the towns and cities. The workers were traumatised and feared for their l

  TUCOSWA PETITION TO THE PARLIAMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF ESWATINI NKANINI, LOBAMBA DELIVERED: - 06 August, 2021 1.     Introduction. The Freedom of Association Committee of the International Labour Organization in its report in respect of South Africa observed that, “Decisions taken in the political arena may have a profound impact on the social and economic conditions of workers. If trade unions are to defend the interests of their members, they should not be obliged to confine themselves solely to shop floor questions. They must be free to express their views publicly on a government’s economic and social policy, since their fundamental objective is to advance the social and economic well-being of their members .” This is the position of the ILO and the country is bound by it, the country as member of the ILO is obligated to listen to the workers Federation and attend to the issues raised as they impact on the social and economic lives of its members.   The Trade Union Con