Swaziland bans trade unions17 October, 2014Swazi Minister of Labour and Social Security, Winnie Magagula, has announced a Cabinet resolution deciding that, pending legal reforms, all federations should stop operating immediately. All trade union and employer federations will be effectively banned, a clear violation of ILO Convention 87, ratified by Swaziland, guaranteeing freedom of association for workers and employers.
Swaziland union federation dealt another blow7 March, 2013The Industrial Court in Swaziland ruled against the legitimacy of the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (Tucoswa), giving advantage to the repressive Swazi regime to undermine calls from labour for democracy ahead of national elections.
Suppression of democracy campaign activities in Swaziland9 September, 2013Police prevented a Global Inquiry Panel headed up by former South African Minister and labour leader, Jay Naidoo from taking place after having detained Naidoo for questioning the day before.
IndustriALL 3rd Congress calls for an end to violence in Eswatini30 September, 2021For over three decades, the government of the Kingdom of Eswatini has violated human and trade union rights. However, there are increasing calls against this impunity, and for democratic reforms to be implemented.
Southern Africa: Building a network of young workers27 September, 2017Young workers from 11 IndustriALL affiliates representing the construction, chemical, garment and textile, energy, metal and mining sectors in Southern Africa, from Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland met in Gaborone, Botswana, from 20-21 September, to discuss how they can network and develop joint actions on common struggles. The workshop explored ways to increase the participation of the youth in unions.
PROFILE: Divided we beg, united we bargain, says Eswatini union14 December, 2021Some of the pillars that are key to building a strong union are workers unity and collective bargaining, says the Amalgamated Trade Union of Swaziland (ATUSWA) which is affiliated to IndustriALL Global Union. The union organizing strategy is anchored on fighting for the unity of workers, workers’ rights, and living wages. In that sense, the union is living up to its slogan: Divided we beg, united we bargain.
Eswatini garment workers continue strike amid intimidation and harassment5 May, 2022Despite intimidation by security forces, textile and garment workers in Eswatini are continuing their strike for living wages. Five weeks into the strike, the workers are reiterating their request for at least E15 per hour or E2983 (US$183) per month.
eSwatini: Workers protest textile companies’ refusal to increase wages5 September, 2018Over 10,000 workers from five factories in Nhlangano took mass action to vent their anger over low wages last week. At Zheng Yong, workers were locked in the factory when the employers ran away.
eSwatini union condemns violence against striking workers20 September, 2018Garment and textile union workers are not relenting on their demands for better wages and working conditions despite the use of excessive force by the Royal eSwatini Police which led to the arrest and injury of scores of workers.
Swazi trade unionist Wonder Mkhonza released on bail16 May, 2013Asked whether this experience will dampen his political activism, Wonder Mkhonza replies “Of course not! The threat of jail can no longer dent our spirit as we push for democracy in Swaziland”.
