Swazi Wire employees provided with beds for night shift

MATSAPHA-The management of Swazi Wire Industries has bought beds for their employees who work night shifts.

Instead of taking them to their homes at 3am when they knock off, the staff is made to sleep on the beds and wait for the sun to rise before they can go to their respective homes.

"It all began when the production manager found some staff sleeping while at work. It was early in the morning hours and most of them had finished their duties for the morning shift," one of the employees, who did not want his name published, said.

He said upon making the discovery, the production manager requested all the names of the employees whom he found sleeping on the morning.

"When we came back to work on a different day, we found many beds and were told that we would be sleeping on them after 3am because management would not be taking us home anymore," the employees said.

They said some employees resorted to walking after the 3am knock-off time, which was a danger to their lives.

"Some stay in Manzini and they walk from Matsapha to their places which is very dangerous. Matsapha has dangerous areas, although some walk in groups of four people," they said.

The employees informed the worker’s council last Friday, since they do not have a union at the company.

"The worker’s council had talks with management about the issue and it said it would get back to us in three days, but that never happened. We are still waiting for feedback because we have another issue regarding drivers being forced to deliver stock when sent out," the employees said.

Managing Director of Swazi Wire Industries, Dale Allen, said if the employees had a job to do at night and if they were not happy with the situation, they may resign from the company.

"As an employer, you will never make everybody happy. We value our employees, therefore the idea of providing beds was the best decision ever and if someone is not comfortable with it, then he must look for a job somewhere else," he said.

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