Abandon illegal strike, DPM urges workers

The acting Prime Minister, Themba Masuku, made this call during a hastily convened press conference last night.

Masuku was flanked by the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Lutfo Dlamini, Minister of Education and Training Wilson Ntshangase, Minister of Public Service Magobetane Mamba and principal secretaries from these ministries.

The press conference was convened at the end of the first day of the strike organised by the National Public Service and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU).

The civil servants join teachers who have been on an indefinite strike action for three weeks now. Masuku, who is holding the fort as the Prime Minister Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini is away in Ethiopia, said civil servants who want to go to work will be protected.

He thanked all those who continued working despite the strike action.

"Government has already commenced and will continue to effect the ‘no-work-no-pay’ principle to civil servants who will participate in the ongoing strike action," the acting PM said.

Masuku said despite that government was operating under fiscal constraints it remained committed to ensuring that service delivery was not affected.

"I therefore, urge all of us to play a role in ensuring that amicable and long lasting solutions to the challenges are reached," he said. Masuku reminded teachers that the no-work-no-pay rule will apply to all the teachers who have defied the court order, stopping the strike.

"Principals and teachers are sternly warned that disciplinary action may be taken against those who will continue to disobey the court order by invoking Section 88 of the Industrial Relations Act, 2000 and Section 36 of the Employment Act, 1980. He warned teachers and civil servants to refrain from the ongoing protests. He declared the mass protests illegal as the court ruled.

Comments

Court orders ! Every one is talking of court orders every time the poor groups are demanding what they deserve-Rubbish. It was the same Barnabas who told the whole Swazi Nation that court orders may be useless, so why cry now? Are court orders different from others? How? Since 2008 court orders in Swaziland became useless if you remember very well & if you`re not sure ask the PM. Just give the workers what they deserve-Finish. Joel { Matsapha}.
Jul 12, 2012, 12:07 PM, JOEL (joel.simelane@gmail.com)

It would be a pity if Government does not realise that Swaziland is nothing but a time bomb ready to explode any time!!!!
Jul 12, 2012, 12:07 PM, Sihle (Hadebe)

God must intervene and save our nation kunangu hulumende lophetsebantfu ngengcilato. How will the civil servants survive uma emaholo,nawo lalite, angakhuphuki. Lingabayini kodwa lelive ngaphandle kwabothishela? What's gonna happen to our children?
Jul 12, 2012, 12:07 PM, Christopher (nxumalochristopher4@gmail.com)

Just a question MR D.P.M , was it,just, lawful, procedural that your folks the 9th Parliament first rewarded themselves with circular no:1 then after crying foul that there is global meltdown and everyone must tighten belts, are you saving the little resources left for your exit packages in 2013 with your captain the PM? STOP BEING SELFISH AND ADDRESS THE WORKERS CONCERNS, THREATS AND COURTS WONT YIELD ANY RESULT,THE PM SET THE BAROMETER IN 2002 BY DEFYING COURT ORDERS, WHY DIDN'T THE POWERS THAT BE BRING HIM TO ORDER WHEN HE DEFIED COURT ORDERS,WAS IT BECAUSE IT FAVORED THEM? STOP BEING HYPOCRITES, IF THERE IS NO MONEY, LET IT BE SEEN IN GOVERNMENT AND THE ROYALTY SPENDING PRIORITIES.
Jul 12, 2012, 12:07 PM, Hynd Shongwe

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