TUCOSWA HOSTS 2023 WORKERS DAY RALLY AT MAYALUKA

A TUCOSWA banner for workers day 2023 commemoration

The Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) ,the federation of workers in Eswatini/Swaziland is heading for the sugarbelt to commemorate its 2023 workers day. Specifically the eastern agricultural town of BigBend ,which hosts the iconic Mayaluka Sports Ground or Stadium ,will host the main rally for workers day.

The theme of the 2023 TUCOSWA Workers Day is, "WORKERS IN PURSUIT OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS,FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY"

In keeping with norms of previous workers day rallies, the 2023 rally will be preceded by a march around the Big Bend Illovo Estate and will be led by TUCOSWA leaders and its aim is to sensitise the community about selected issues affecting workers. The march will reportedly kick-off at 0830 and it will end in the Mayaluka stadium where the main event will be taking place.

The main event is likely to feature a keynote address by the President of TUCOSWA Bheki Mamba, an address from the TUCOSWA Secretary General Mduduzi Gina ,addresses from Civil Society Organisations (CSO's) ,political parties and social partners such as business and the government. It is worth noting that the Minister of Labour and Social Security Phila Buthelezi has already indicated to local media (Times of Eswatini 28-04-23) that he will not attend the workers gathering. It is ,however still possible for the government to send another representative besides Minister Phila.

Sugarbelt

The sugarbelt ,comprising mainly of the towns of Big Bend ,Mhlume ,Tjaneni and Simunye, is likely to hold a special place in the minds of workers in terms of the commemorations of workers day. For one ,the sugar estates that form these towns are home to a large number of workers, secondly they have decent stadium facilities to host the workers day and thirdly being hosted by the sugar estates automatically translates to being hosted by the Swaziland Agriculture, Plantation and Allied Workers Union (SAPAWU),the biggest private sector trade union in Eswatini and therefore it is always well organised from a trade union perspective .

More information about other speakers and entertainment will be shared once received.

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