SD’s removal from ‘special paragraph’ annoys workers

MBABANE – NAPSAWU was disappointed that govern-ment was taken out of ILO’s ‘special paragraph’ last week.

The country, through government, had been languishing in the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) bad books in Geneva, Switzerland for no less than three years.

Being in the ‘special paragraph’ meant that government was viewed as a violator of freedoms such as that of association for workers, and also that it poorly treated workers and their unions. 
However, after last week’s meeting between the government delegation and ILO officials, it was decided that it was time for the country to be pulled out of the unpopular category.  The delegation was led by Minister of Labour and Social Security Lutfo Dlamini, who felt that the country was unjustly categorised.

However, Musa Mdluli, National Public Service and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU) Secretary General, felt that the country did not deserve to be taken out of the ‘special paragraph’ at all.
“The government of this country does not respect the fundamental rights of workers.
It uses the police to frustrate workers whenever they try to exercise their right to assemble and conduct a peaceful march to deliver petitions,” said Mdluli.

He went on to say workers could not hold demonstrations without being intimidated by using national security personnel.
Mdluli cited a case in point where NAPSAWU members were shot with rubber bullets and sprayed with tear gas while holding a demonstration at the Coronation Park in the capital city.

They were preparing to take their petition on a 4.5 per cent salary increment to government offices.
“The Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) was not the sole reason why the country was in the ‘special paragraph’ category and this should be made clear.

“At this point, we are keen on seeing government’s reaction to unions when there is a march,” said Mdluli.
He said if government still failed to observe workers’ rights, unions would mobilise themselves and go back to ILO to report it so that the kingdom could be returned to the ‘special paragraph’.  

TUCOSWA Secretary General Vincent Ncongwane was indifferent about the removal from the ‘special paragraph’ but mentioned, however, that the treatment of workers from now on would measure government’s change of attitude.
Sibongile Mazibuko, Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) President declined to comment.

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