Skip to main content

NAWUSHI MEMBERS DELIVER PETITION TO UNESWA MANAGEMENT, REITERATE LOSS OF CONFIDENCE ON MANAGEMENT

UNESWA workers in previous protests (courtesy picture)

Written by Fundizwi Sikhondze

University of Eswatini workers ,comprising of academic, administrative and non academic have embarked on a series of protest actions meant to elicit more commitments from the management of UNESWA that going forward wages will be paid without delays amongst others. On Monday 26th February 2024 academic and administrative workers under the banner of the Association for Academic and Administrative Personnel (ALAAP) delivered a petition to parliament to coincide with the reading of the national budget by Minister Neal Rekjernberg.

On Wednesday 28th February 2024 UNESWA workers who are members of the the National Workers Union in Swaziland Higher Institutions (NAWUSHI) delivered a petition (a copy of which the ELI is in possession of) to the Management of UNESWA. In their petition they brought it to UNESWA Managements attention that firstly they viewed the recurrent delays in the payment of salaries as a breach to the contracts of employment. "the membership has encountered recurrent delays in the payment of salaries beyond the stipulated 19th of each month. This is viewed as breach of contracts of employment for the workers" (sic).

Secondly NAWUSHI warned the UNESWA management to desist from the practice of re-engaging retired workers to carry out work that can otherwise be carried out by remaining adequately skilled workers.

Thirdly the petition drew the attention of UNESWA management to the fact that their continued non remittance of deductions from workers salaries had made UNESWA workers to be labelled as a high risk by financial institutions and are therefore unable to access financing. Worse NAWUSHI pointed out that non remittance to some service providers like medical aid providers puts the workers lives at risk, "Some of the non-remittances continue to put the lives of workers at risk as they are deprived of medical assistance".

Fourth, NAWUSHI raised the issue of  a cushion fund for financial services providers that had been agreed upon but that has not been implemented by UNESWA management.

Fifth, NAWUSHI lamented that since they in concert with ALAAP had passed a vote of no confidence on the UNESWA Management nothing had been communicated to them regarding this matter by the council of UNESWA.

Sixth, NAWUSHI brought to the attention of UNESWA management that they was still outstanding engagement on the issue of workers at the refectory regarding the non renewal of their contracts by management.

NAWUSHI concluded by declaring amongst others that all deductions be remitted within 48 hours of their deduction by UNESWA ,that Management of UNESWA resign within seven (7) days failing which the workers would effect withdrawal of their services without any further notice. NAWUSHI further informed UNESWA Management that they would be engaging on a protest action to the Ministry of Education and Training on the 4th March 2024 to demand that UNESWA be placed under administration for all their failures.

UNESWA management through Registrar Dr S.S. Simelane declined to comment on the issue citing that the matter was now before the courts and therefore they could not comment on it any longer.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

PRE FINAL SALARY REVIEW REPORT RELEASED TO PSUs

  Pictured Above: Ministry of Public Service and Administration Principal Secretary Mthunzi Shabangu (L) receiving the Pre Final Salary Review and Jobs Grading report from Emergency Growth/Umelusi Consulting's Siphephiso Dlamini (R). Picture credit: SNAT Platform. Written by Fundizwi Sikhondze The pre final draft report of the public service Salary Review and Jobs Grading report was released to the participants of Joint Negotiations Forum on Tuesday 9 th September 2025 by the consultancy team, a partnership comprising of Emergency Growth and Umalusi Consultancy. The report was symbolically delivered to the leader of the government negotiations team and Principal Secretary to the Ministry of Public Service and Administration, Mthunzi Shabangu. The Public Sector Unions, namely, National Public Service and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU),the Swaziland National Government Accountants Personnel (SNAGAP), Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) and the Swaziland Democratic ...
Post a Comment
Read more

70 individuals appointed into Emabandla at a high cost to the fiscus

  Eswatini Attorney General Sifiso Khumalo (online picture) King Mswati III the Head of State of Eswatini on Saturday issued a directive through the Attorney General Sifiso Khumalo appointing around 70 individuals into several national committees, also known as Emabandla. The appointments come more than a month after the term of office of the previous Emabandla’s term of office came to an end and their term in office was extended indefinitely by the King through a gazette issued by the Attorney General. The several Emabandla announced are as follows, Board of Trustees (7), the Minerals Management Board (7) , Ludzidzini Council (20), Civil Service Commission (5) , Liqoqo Council (20), the Land Management Board (5) and the Teaching Service Commission (5). The National Chief Defence Officer was also announced. The newly appointed Board of Trustees members are as follows: Neal Rikjernberg (Finance Minister and Chairperson), Princess Tiyandza, Chief Ndabankulu Simelane, Chief Mgwagw...
Post a Comment
Read more

WORKERS AND EMPLOYERS HAVE QUESTIONED LABOUR MINISTER BUTHELEZI ON THE APPOINMENT OF ENPF BOARD CHAIRPERSON

  Pictured above: Derrick Shiba,the Chairperson of the ENPF Board of Directors (Picture credit: Online sources) Written by Fundizwi Sikhondze  The appointment of businessman Derrick Shiba to the position of chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Eswatini National Provident Fund (ENPF) has come under heavy criticism by the social partners, the business and labour federations. The Minister of Labour and Social Security Phila Buthelezi has however put up strong defence by sarcastically asking them to go to court if not satisfied with the decision.  Mr Shiba is otherwise known as the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Inyatsi Group of Companies. He is also known to own and run a Eswatini Premier League football team called Nsingizini Hotspur. The social partners' first reaction to the appointment of the board was to notify Minister Buthelezi of their discontent about the appointment and they also sought a consultative engagement with him regarding the matter. The ...
Post a Comment
Read more