Eswatini Labour Insight

  SNAT President Mbongwa Dlamini during a protest at the Ministry of Education in Mbabane in January 2023   Written by Fundizwi Sikhondze The leaders of the Public Service Unions (PSUs) met with the Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini at the cabinet offices on Wednesday 29th May 2024 and the outcomes of the meeting are not anything to write home about according to the PSUs. It is worth noting that the meeting with the Prime Minister is possibly as a result of the PSUs address during Workers Day at the Prince of Wales stadium in Mbabane on 1st May 2024. During their address to workers on Workers Day the PSUs heavily criticised the Prime Minister (who was present on the day) for being indifferent to their requests for the intervention of his office on matters where the PSUs and the government negotiations teams were unable continue to work.  Speaking on Wednesday 29th May 2024 in a media conference flighted on the Facebook Page ,The SNAT Platform ,  PSU leade...

  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...

    Written by Fundizwi Sikhondze The Amalgamated Trade Unions of Swaziland (ATUSWA) ,the biggest trade union in the manufacturing sector, launched a campaign for proper housing for workers. The campaign was launched at Mathendele Community Hall Nhlangano in the south of Eswatini. Speaking at the launch the President of ATUSWA Phindile Dlamini lamented that workers are often housed in unsafe houses in compounds that have poor sanitation facilities. She further said that the responses from landlords to complaints is that there are plenty of awaiting tenants if you are not satisfied with your house. ATUSWA leaders  (from left),President Phindile Dlamini,Treasurere Ncamsile Dlamini and Secretary General Wander Mkhonza during the campaign launch. ATUSWA members also spoke out about the conditions they live in that are neither safe nor healthy for them as well as their families. They further commented that the landlords literally do not want to pay for anything including...

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 ...

  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 emp...

The new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the ENPF Ms Futhi Tembe Written by Fundizwi Sikhondze The acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Eswatini National Provident Fund (ENPF) Ms Futhi Tembe has been appointed as the substantive CEO of the ENPF according to the state broadcaster, the Eswatini National Broadcasting Services (EBIS). This announcement ,according to the EBIS, was made by the Minister of Labour and Social Security Phila Buthelezi today 22April 2024.  Ms Tembe previously occupied the position of General Manager Business Development and Finance at the fund before her appointment as the acting CEO in November 2023 when the former CEO Prince Lonkhokhela was appointed into Parliament and later appointed as Minister of Mineral Resources. Her appointment is likely to bring stability and certainty to the ENPF in a year where the fund marks 50 years of existence. The fund was established through a King's proclamation in 1974. Celebrations marking the 50 year milestone are...

The ENPF Logo (Sourced online) Written by Fundizwi Sikhondze  The International Social Security Association (ISSA) is set to host a seminar in Eswatini on 22 to 24 April 2024.  The seminar is categorised as a technical seminar, and it will deal with Preventing fraud, Strengthening Compliance, and Improving Contributions Collections.  According to the ISSA website (issa.int) the seminar will be organised in conjunction with the ISSA Liason Officer of Southern Africa and hosted by the Eswatini National Provident Fund (ENPF). The ENPF is a member (affiliate) organisation of the ISSA. Other Eswatini member organisations of the ISSA are the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund , the Public Service Pension Fund (PSPF). The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare as well as the Financial Services Regulatory Authority are listed as associate members on the ISSA website. It was reported on the ISSA website that the seminar is targeting African member organisations of the ISSA as well as invi...