CALL FOR E1 500 GRANT FOR THE UNEMPLOYED

MANZINI – Amid the outcry of unemployment in Eswatini, a plea for assistance has been raised by unemployed citizens in Eswatini.

A basic income of E1 500, they argue, could ensure emaSwati navigate the economic hardships. Through the Swaziland Unemployed People’s Movement (SUPMO), the unemployed suggested that this amount would serve as a life vest, amid the current economic situation caused by the high unemployment rate.

The unemployment rate in Eswatini is currently 35.4 per cent. During a press conference held at SUPMO premises, Lucky Dlamini, the Chairperson of SUPMO, stated that with youth month as their compass, the movement set out to highlight the realities of unemployment, particularly for young emaSwati, as they journeyed towards a solution to the economic crisis facing the kingdom.

Crime

Dlamini highlighted that as it were, the high unemployment rate in the country resulted in an increased crime rate and prostitution, which was seen especially among the youth, as well as drug abuse and suicides. “We call upon government to introduce a basic income grant for the unemployed, the elderly and people with disabilities.  “It should be E1 500, because the standard of living is too high. We are also calling for government to grant emaSwati land grants, which would afford them title deeds to use the land as a form of access to the economy, as a form of capital,” the chairperson said.He further expressed their call for government to also have clear programmes for decentralised skills, so that people could be well capacitated to use them.

Inflation

Dlamini mentioned that the inflation rate was high, and it did not leave the unemployed unaffected, as they too needed to buy bread, without generating any income. The chairperson stated that the unemployed also got sick and required to be hospitalised or receive medical attention. He stated that there was a challenge of the unavailability of drugs in hospitals. The chairperson was of the view that unemployed people’s needs were not catered for. He expressed a wish for Eswatni to emulate South Africa, which catered for the needs of South Africans. He stressed that as it were in the country, the unemployment rate is high.  

Meanwhile, Ntokozo Shongwe, the movement’s advocate, said it disheartened them to see women being abused in the workplace, especially in the textile industry. She said this was in the form of meagre salaries, yet women were responsible for the welfare of their children and families. She also said women in the textile industry were retrenched without being awarded their lawful benefits. “We ask government to assist us in this regard, so that we can be motivated. We need these jobs, because we earn a living through them,” she said.  

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