Times Of Swaziland: NO TO SALARY CUTS, FREEZE – UNIONS WARN PM

NO TO SALARY CUTS, FREEZE – UNIONS WARN PM
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BY ZWELAKHE MOAHLOLI AND SIBUSISO ZWANE on 10/11/2018 13:25:00


MANZINI – Under no circumstances will workers ever believe and understand the
gospel of government being in cash liquidity problems.
This, they said was because of its spending patterns as a country which indicate
that money was in abundance.
The workers made this submission during a first-of-its kind courtesy meeting by
the Prime Minister, Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini.
The premier met Public Sector Associations (PSAs) at the Mavuso Trade Centre,
yesterday after gracing the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology
Graduation ceremony.  The PSAs had earlier in the week voiced their excitement
about the PM inviting them for a face to face meeting.
agenda
Even though the agenda was not clear from the start, it was the PSAs’ main
wish that the 6.5 per cent salary increment they have been requesting would be
discussed. This is because government had urged them to stop strike actions and
wait for the new government.
The PSAs comprised of SNAT, the Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU),
National Public Service and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU) and the Swaziland
National Government Accounting Personnel (SNAGAP).
The workers also told Dlamini that they would never accept salary cuts and
salary freezes.
This follows submissions made by Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg, that the
economic status of the country could be changed through freezing of salaries,
among other things.
dire
According to a statement released by the Swaziland National Association of
Teachers (SNAT), the premier told them that government was in dire cash
liquidity problems.
He is said to have requested his Finance minister (Neal) to confirm the
government’s financial quagmire and that government was in a worse situation
this year than it was in 2011.
Part of the brief report to their membership reads: “In his speech, the Prime
Minister, made a commitment to establish harmonious relations with all social
partners (Unions included).
He stressed his commitment on ensuring economic improvement through job creation
and instilling fiscal discipline to the rest of the government departments and
officers.
“He stated that negotiations at the JNF should be engaged upon with all
partners thereat exemplifying utmost respect for each other. This, according to
him, will be achieved if honesty, transparency and accountability are embraced
by both The Government Negotiating Team (GNT) and PSAs.”
Reacting to the prime minister’s statement, the workers stated that unless and
until government set correct priorities, the economic problems would be
perennial.
accountability
“That his government and himself, in particular, should exemplify honesty,
transparency and accountability if he is to earn integrity and respect of the
Eswatini citizens in general and workers in particular,” read the statement.
They then requested that the premier should also reflect on a report that was
tabled by his predecessor in 2011, which stated that the best way of improving
the country’s economy was through pumping money into salaries of workers so
that the same money could be pumped back to the economy.
This would be made possible by the fact that the buying power of the workers
would have been enhanced, they said.
In its analysis of the meeting, the SNAT National Executive Committee (NEC) said
it drew a conclusion that the unprecedented predicament that they as workers
were in, would stay with them for a little longer and that tougher times were
lying ahead for the workers of this country.
Bheki Mamba, the President of the Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU)
said,
“Yes we had a meeting, there was nothing much said, except that he emphasised
that we should be patient because government was faced with a fiscal problem.
“He also asked that we look into the state of the economy and work with him in
trying to resolve it.”
Mamba said in response to this they raised the issue of corruption, which they
felt should be uprooted as it was rife in government.
“We did state that we will not accept salary cuts, instead we are expecting a
salary increase.”
Government spokesperson Percy Simelane could not be reached for comment as his
phone was on engage mode. He was called a numerous times and the last attempt
was made at 9:04pm.
judgement
The last development on the CoLA issue was a judgement made by the Industrial
Court in September.
Judge Dumsani Mazibuko ruled that the three-day SNAT strike, which was due to
start on Tuesday, September 25, 2018 was legal but should be postponed until 
November 23, 2018 where a new government would be in place.
The judge said the NAPSAWU strike, which was started earlier and was due to
continue could not go ahead because the union had not given sufficient notice
under the kingdom’s Industrial Relations Act.
Previously, of the 3 635 civil servants who participated in a strike ballot, 3
593 voted in favour.