MBABANE – Maloma Colliery Ltd has offered employees a cumulative nine per cent salary increase over two years, but wage negotiations have reached a deadlock, resulting in a work stoppage and prompting the company to seek urgent court intervention.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the company said its current offer comprises a five per cent salary increase for 2026 and a four per cent increase for 2027.
The company said the industrial action arose during wage negotiations being conducted through the recognised collective bargaining process with the recognised workers’ union.
According to the statement, despite ongoing engagements and repeated appeals for employees to return to work while discussions continued, the parties had failed to reach an agreement.
Maloma Colliery said the impasse had now extended beyond the wage offer to issues that should continue to be addressed through the recognised collective bargaining structures established under the Recognition Agreement.
The company said it had negotiated in good faith throughout the process and remained committed to orderly collective bargaining in accordance with the country’s labour laws.
However, it said a number of employees had continued occupying the company’s entrance and obstructing normal access to the workplace despite repeated requests to vacate peacefully.
As a result, the company said it had instructed its legal representatives to seek urgent relief from the appropriate court to protect the safety of employees, safeguard operations and restore normal access to the workplace.
Maloma Colliery said the decision to seek legal intervention had not been taken lightly and stressed that it remained available to conclude a collective agreement through the recognised bargaining process should the parties reach consensus.
The company also pointed to measures it had taken to support employees over the past seven months, including the payment of a 13th cheque in December, a 14th cheque in January to assist with back-to-school expenses, monthly food rations, a production bonus paid last month and the wage offer currently under discussion.
While recognising employees’ right to raise workplace concerns through the industrial relations framework, the company urged workers to respect the rule of law, comply with any lawful court orders and work with all stakeholders towards a peaceful resolution of the dispute.
Maloma Colliery said it remained committed to resolving the matter swiftly, peacefully and lawfully in the interests of its employees, stakeholders and the communities it serves.
