20 March, 2012Trade unionists in Swaziland have understood that above all else, there is strength in unity. The new federation unites workers and strengthens the labour movement's ability to build a broad based movement for democracy in Swaziland.
SWAZILAND: IMF welcomes the merger of the Swaziland Federation of Labour (SFL) and the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU). It has also brought into the fold the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), one of the strongest unions and most vocal in its opposition to the ruling elite.
The Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) that represents about 50,000 Swazi workers, has an important role to play in the struggle for political reform in the country. TUCOSWA takes on the challenge to maintain the mobilisations that have taken place thus far, to make concrete linkages with civil society, to strengthen links within and between urban and rural communities, between students and workers, and perhaps most importantly, not to allow the regime to divide and rule, and frighten and intimidate the people of Swaziland back into a state of submission.
At the launch, Secretary General, Vincent Ncongwane said that TUCOSWA will boycott next years national elections because political parties are banned and only individuals are allowed to stand as candidates. The labour movement will only accept multi-party democratic elections.