Swaziland: Bring back AGOA status, say unions6 September, 2017An IndustriALL affiliate, Amalgamated Trade Union of Swaziland (ATUSWA), and the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) met in Manzini, Swaziland on 29 August and agreed to support Swaziland’s readmission to the US African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
IndustriALL and ITUC call for urgent inclusive dialogue on democratic reforms in Eswatini2 February, 2022Several student leaders have been arrested while others allegedly tortured at police stations in Eswatini. Unions say over 100 people were shot dead, and hundreds injured and arbitrarily arrested in incidences where the police and the army used excessive force and live ammunition against prodemocracy campaigners.
Calls for justice for slain Eswatini human rights defender 3 February, 2023On 3 February, South African unions from the Congress of South African Trade Unions and civil society organizations campaigning for democratic reforms picketed at the Eswatini Embassy in Johannesburg to call for justice and for an independent investigation following the assassination of Thulani Maseko, a human rights and social justice lawyer.
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.
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.
“We will be killed by hunger before the coronavirus gets us”6 May, 2020Over 18,000 workers in the textile and garment sector in Eswatini have not been paid since the announcement of the lockdown to control the spread of Covid-19. This means that the workers have no money to buy food, pay rent, bills and other basics.
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”.
Labour keeps up pressure for democracy in Swaziland 11 September, 2012Despite demobilization efforts of the Swaziland government, labour together with student bodies and civil society in the country pushed on with calls for multiparty democratic elections during the Global Week of Action on Swaziland, 3 to 7 September.
Tense standoff at Swazi Maloma Colliery 27 November, 2014Striking workers at Maloma Colliery in Swaziland have retreated to a hill and refuse to return to work until their demand for a housing allowance are met.
