Eswatini police disperse workers petitioning for living wage17 March, 2022Over 5,000 workers from 15 factories in the textile and garment sector braved the rains to present a petition on living wages to the department of labour in Nhlangano on 15 March. However, the police dispersed the workers while denying permission for other marches planned for Manzini and Matsapha to take place.
Unions in Sub-Saharan Africa strengthened by solidarity18 April, 2019Unions in Sub-Saharan Africa face economic recession, deindustrialization, and precarious work coupled by high unemployment and poverty. Human and workers’ rights violations are common, including unfair retrenchments when mines and companies are closed.
Swaziland: Union welcomes return to US-Africa trade agreement19 January, 2018IndustriALL Global Union affiliate, the Amalgamated Trade Union of Swaziland (ATUSWA), has welcomed the readmission of Swaziland as a beneficiary to the US’s African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
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.
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”.
