Times Of Swaziland: TEXTILE WORKERS: WE SURVIVE ON E50 AFTER E2 000 SALARY

TEXTILE WORKERS: WE SURVIVE ON E50 AFTER E2 000 SALARY
================================================================================
BY SIBUSISO ZWANE on 26/10/2021 08:52:00


MANZINI - Some textile workers claim they survive on only E50 on a monthly
basis.
The workers revealed this as they were preparing for their strike action, which
was supposed to start yesterday and led by the Amalgamated Trade Union of
Swaziland (ATUSWA). The strike action was stopped by the court after some of the
textile and apparel sector employers approached the Industrial Court last Friday
and as a result, the industry operated without any disturbances yesterday.
The workers are demanding a minimum wage of at least E15 per hour, which would
take their salaries to an average of E3 500 per month, which is the national
minimum wage demanded by the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA). They
also demand the release of the incarcerated Members of Parliament (MPs) –
Hosea MP Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Ngwempisi MP Mthandeni Dube, among other
things.
Average
In their claims, the workers said they earned about E2 000 per month, on
average. They said they used about E550 for rent, E250 for transport and E200
for electricity. “Most of us have children, so we pay at least E250 at daycare
centres. We also spend about E340 on disposable nappies and E360 on formula,”
the workers said. They said the above expenses amounted to E1 955, which meant
that they would have only E50 to buy food for themselves and their families.
They added that with the remaining E50, they were expected to also buy clothes
for themselves and their children and save some for medical expenses and
emergencies. In that regard, they said their only option was to fight for better
wages.
Again, the workers claimed that aspiring Members of Parliament (MPs), who
usually promised them the world when campaigning, forgot about them the moment
they were elected into Parliament. “They only appreciate our value when
campaigning,” they said. Last week, ATUSWA served six textile factories and
government with notices of a strike action, which was scheduled to start
yesterday. The companies which were served with the notices were Fashion
International, FTM Garments and Juries Manufacturers.
The others were Kasumi Apparels Swaziland, Zheng Yong Swaziland and Ho’s
Enterprises. In the notice, ATUSWA said as a result of companies’ alleged
refusal to cooperate with the Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration Commission
(CMAC) for purposes of conducting the secret ballot in terms of Section 86 (2)
of the Industrial Relations Act 2000, as amended, it invoked Section 86 (5) of
the Act. The section reads; “Failure by the commission to organise a ballot in
conformity with this section shall not deprive an otherwise lawful strike of the
protection under this Act”.
Again, the union said in furtherance of the demands from workers as represented
by ATUSWA, the notice was given to notify the companies about the commencement
of a strike action in terms of Section 86 (8) of the Industrial Relations Act
No.1, 2000 as amended. “The strike action will commence on Monday October 25,
2021 at or around 7am,” read part of the notice.
Resolution
Thereafter, the union re-affirmed its willingness and commitment to finding an
amicable resolution to the issues at hand. However, after the textile companies
approached the court, they were granted an order which interdicted and
restrained ATUSWA and its members from engaging in the strike action, pending a
determination of a matter which was in court. The court also said the strike
action notices which were issued by ATUSWA last Wednesday, were irregular and
unlawful.
Meanwhile, ATUSWA Secretary General Wonder Mkhonza said after the court order
which restrained them from engaging in the strike action, they advised their
members to report for duty, pending the finalisation of the matter which was in
court.