SCAWU DISCUSSES HOW WORKERS IN THE RETAIL SECTOR WERE AFFECTED BY THE RECENT BURNING AND LOOTING OF RETAIL BUSINESSES

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 lives as (there was always a possibility) that they could be burned as a result of the arsons. The fallout from the riots posed a serious threat to the retail workers (they are essential workers) in light of the pandemic.  

The workers were then asked to stay at home for safety reasons and because their workplaces were vandalised. The direct effect of this was loss of employment and/or income. Workers in the retail sector are in the low income bracket and any negative change in the take home pay brings a huge inconvenience.

Then the ‘covid’ curfew was introduced by the government in a desperate strategy to contain the situation ( esp burning of buildings at night) but that had a negative impact on the workers. The curbed hours caused chaotic work shifts. As a result some workers were placed on short-time or lay off. Most affected employees are still at home until the infrastructure is restored. The negative impact of the recent looting and burning shall be with us for a very long time, that is if nothing changes in the political arena.

As SCAWU we fear that there may be more job losses and wage freeze for a couple of financial years to come. We are lucky that the big players in the local retail economy (MNCs) are not exiting (eSwatini) and we keep our fingers crossed that they keep their operations in the country as they employ a sizable number.

 

2.    2. SLI: How many of SCAWU members can you estimate to have lost employment as a result of the looting and burning?

 PM: 

a)               We have about +60 members who are temporarily at home because their workplaces (stores) were badly damaged. They await completions of renovations.

 

b)               We have have 16 members who were dismissed for allegedly consuming stock and helping themselves with damaged goods. As they were cleaning their store (Shoprite) Buka Ezulwini), they were allegedly given permission to eat certain foods like fat cakes, apples, naartjies etc., and to take damaged goods because they would be destroyed anyway.

                         The Store Manager is alleged to have told one supervisor who spread the word to his                             colleagues. 16 of them were dismissed but not the Manager. We appealed for all                                     dismissed employees, and represented them during the appeal hearings, we await the                             appeal chairman’s ruling.

 

3.  3.  SLI: Have employers and or government engaged SCAWU in dialogue around the looting and burning and what it will mean for workers in the sector? What was SCAWU contribution to that dialogue?

    PM: There have not been any engagements between ourselves and the government concerning this subject matter but we have made attempts to engage with the employers individually.

We were cautioning the employers against unilaterally taking decisions such as “no work no pay” rule. In as much as we appreciated the peculiarly of the recent uncomfortable events we still wanted to be recognised as social partners or interested/affected parties in such decisions.

Due to the lockdowns in 2020, most workers used up their annual leave days to cushion for the loss of wages. There are still ongoing disputes on how some were granted same and the questionable leave balances. As a result most workers were either uncomfortable to have their annual leave days or had none to assist them for the current situation. To mitigate the financial loss we proposed that where workers had positive leave balances, they be used for the days lost. Where workers had no positive leave balances, we requested either for a salary advance repayable in small amounts. With some employers we successfully negotiated for a full pay for the lost days without conditions.

For instance Boxer Superstores pledged to pay E350.00 per month and further contribute towards ENPF and other employee benefits for the period they will be at home. We are still in discussion with management. The feeling is that E350.00 is too little considering the basic needs of the employees such as rent, electricity, water and food. They were first paid using their leave days before the E350.00 kicked in. We proposed E950.00 per month.

We have also encouraged employers to raise their voice on matters of governance or politics as they cannot afford to be onlookers or passive at this time. 

 

4.   4. SLI: In your opinion as a union, what solution can help the workers in the retail sector given the looting and burning?

 PM: We can emulate what is obtaining in other countries. We need the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) as a matter of urgency. Pensions and Provident Funds must be engaged so that they are in a position to cushion the employees. Insurance companies must come on board, the need to reform. We may have to start discussion (negotiations) with employers and include provisions in our CBAs that will cater for occurrences such as the recent ones.

Security of wages must be mandatory and properly legislated to be relevant for situations like civil unrest and other disasters.

5. SLI: Are you experiencing any better relations with the workers i.e recruiting more and what is the general mood of workers going forward?

PM: The past events have affected our relationship with some of our members. Some are either impatient with the process of engagements or are unhappy with the outcome. Some have resigned and some are contemplating resigning. There is an instance where this group of workers did not receive pay for the days they were forced by circumstances to be home and they came to us for assistance. We engaged the employer and as correspondences were exchanged the workers got a little impatient and they requested for resignation forms from SCAWU. We have requested for a meeting with these workers.

Generally, however, we still have a great relationship with our members and a good majority appreciate our efforts.

In terms of recruitments, we are doing well and because of the similar problems, the workers in the nonunionised environments were unhappy with the decisions taken by management and that prompted them to look for a union.

 

6.     6. SLI: Are you experiencing better relations with employers after the looting and burning?

PM: The relations with the employers have not been affected. It remains healthy or as it was before the looting and burning.

 7. SLI: With the recent announcement of a E500 million rebuilding fund, how much of it or any other assistance shall be given to workers as they may have also lost work time and will suffer losses of income in the process?

PM: We doubt the human resource is of consideration here. The E500 million in our view is going to be used for buildings and other properties. Workers are on their own. It would be lovely to benefit as workers from our government but the writing is on the wall.

 8. SLI: Lastly, what overall positive outcome does SCAWU wish for out of all this period?

    PM: SCAWU wishes for a meaningful all-inclusive political dialogue that will defuse the political tensions engulfing our country. We unequivocally call for the country to democratise. Our problems flow from political decisions and thus we need a political solution. We subscribe to the notion that economy thrives in enabling environments.

Our recruitment efforts have always died in the alter of the political climate of the country. Swazis have been ruled with fear for a very long time. Never before have we seen Swazis exercising their freedoms in the manner they are presently. Fear seems to dying a natural death and we hope unions will be able to recruit effectively, the now fearless workers.

The End..