MBABANE – Former employees of The Luke Commission (TLC) have petitioned Parliament to investigate what they describe as years of unfair labour practices at the health facility.
These issues include alleged financial irregularities and possible breaches of health regulations at the institution.
The petition, submitted yesterday by former employees on behalf of 80 other former staff members, was received by parliamentary officials, who advised the petitioners that it would be referred to the relevant authorities in accordance with parliamentary procedures.
In the petition, the former employees allege that TLC has, over many years, subjected staff to unfair employment conditions, while also raising questions about the management of government subventions, donor funding and patient billing practices.
Among the issues raised is an allegation that employees were required to sign employment contracts electronically on a tablet but were never given copies of the signed agreements. According to the petitioners, employees who requested copies of their contracts allegedly faced victimisation and retaliation from management. They argue that the practice denied workers access to documents outlining the terms and conditions of their employment.
The former employees also claim that workers were paid below industry standards during their employment and that many former staff members remain owed terminal benefits, severance packages, overtime payments, on-call allowances and pension-related benefits. They further allege that provident fund contributions deducted from employees’ salaries were, in some instances, not remitted despite reflecting on payroll deductions.
The petition further alleges that payslips were only issued upon request, often weeks after payday and without the institution’s official stamp. The former employees argue that such a practice exposed workers to intimidation and was inconsistent with accepted employment standards.
Another reported key concern centres on government funding and donor support. The petitioners want Parliament to investigate the utilisation of government subventions allocated to TLC during the 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years. They allege that while management cited financial constraints and the non-release of government funding, employees were subjected to salary deductions of between five and 20 per cent under what were described as performance-based contracts. They further claim staff were instructed to transfer salary payments into other accounts after receiving them.
The former employees are also calling for an inquiry into whether TLC is charging patients for medicines and medical supplies obtained through the Central Medical Stores (CMS), government support and donor-funded programmes. They questioned how a non-profit organisation could charge substantial fees while benefitting from public and donor resources.
The petition also requests an investigation into whether the health facility undergoes the mandatory inspections required by the Ministry of Health. The petitioners allege they witnessed expired medicines and medical supplies being dispensed to patients and believe the matter warrants urgent attention.
Labour-related concerns also feature prominently in their petition. The petitioners allege that approximately 30 employees were dismissed in July this year after labour inspectors visited the facility following complaints lodged by current and former staff. They claim some employees who interacted with labour officials during the inspection were later dismissed before their contracts expired and without clear reasons being provided.
They further allege that between November 2025 and July 2026, TLC introduced one-month fixed-term performance-based contracts, which they contend were inconsistent with the country’s labour laws. The petition also raises concerns over alleged disparities in treatment and remuneration between emaSwati employees and foreign nationals occupying comparable positions.
The petitioners are asking Parliament to engage the Prime Minister’s Office, the ministries of Health and Labour and Social Security, as well as other relevant stakeholders, to investigate the allegations and facilitate the payment of any benefits found to be owing to affected employees. An effort was made to contact TLC who refused to comment on the matter, citing that the issue is currently being attended to by the High Court. Currently, TLC is embroiled in a court case with two of its former employees and lawyer Sydney Maseko over online posts alleging unfair labour practices on the part of the health institution.
