MBABANE – The Industrial Court has declared the strike by Maloma Colliery (Pty) Ltd employees unlawful and issued an order restraining the workers from continuing with the work stoppage.
The court delivered the ruling on Wednesday, granting the mining company urgent relief after it approached the bench to challenge the industrial action.
The affected employees are represented by the Amalgamated Trade Union of Swaziland (ATUSWA). The work stoppage began on Monday, July 13, 2026.
The company had turned to the court after wage negotiations with the recognised workers’ union reached a deadlock. Maloma Colliery had offered employees a cumulative nine per cent salary increase over two years, comprising a five per cent increase for 2026 and a four per cent increase for 2027.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the company said a number of employees had continued occupying its entrance and obstructing normal access to the workplace despite repeated requests to vacate peacefully. It said it had instructed its legal representatives to seek urgent relief to protect the safety of employees, safeguard operations and restore normal access to the workplace.
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. It said the impasse had extended beyond the wage offer to issues that should continue to be addressed through the recognised collective bargaining structures established under the Recognition Agreement.
Maloma Colliery had earlier 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.
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