Labour

MANZINI – Public Sector Unions (PSUs) have resolved to join their leadership in Mbabane today to pressure government into implementing the annual salary notching practice.

The decision followed a feedback meeting at the SNAT Centre yesterday, where union members were briefed on the outcome of Monday’s session with the Government Negotiation Team (GNT). The PSUs comprise the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), the National Association of Public Servants and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU), the Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU), and the Swaziland National Association of Government Accounting Personnel (SNAGAP).

Addressing the membership, the Chairman of the PSUs, Mbongwa Dlamini said in the General Orders, it is stated clearly that every 12 months, the notch must improve.

He said there is no agreement that can be signed to contradict what is in the General Orders as such has become the law. He accused government of intentionally forgetting the notching process and taking advantage of the workers’ patience.

“Some people cannot differentiate between being good (kulunga) and being forgetful (nekulibala). Only a fool would give up their right,” he added.

Dlamini detailed the history of the current salary review, noting that while five scenarios were presented by consultants, the unions recommended Scenario 3.

“We recommended Scenario 3 and you accepted it, but you insisted on ‘notch-to-notch’ implementation. Government has rejected this, claiming it had no money and that it was not in the consultant’s report,” he explained.

The chairman warned that if government succeeds in delaying the process, civil servants will be disadvantaged for years.

“The next salary review is set for 2030. Scenario 3 has five notches, meaning it should be complete by then. No one should have to remind you that in 2026, you must move to Notch 2. We need to push this through before government commits to other projects in April,” he said.

The unions expressed deep concern for those nearing the end of their employment contracts, saying if the notching is not paid, they stand to lose.

“If notching is not implemented, those retiring now will go home with their pensions calculated on Notch 1. Notching is your right; you do not have to ask for it, you can demand it,” Dlamini said.

He wondered why government was declaring itself broke when just recently, it forked out over E300 million to cushion the fuel increase.

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Workers join SNAT Secretary General Lot Vilakati (in red) in singing during their meeting.

Public Sector Unions converged at the SNAT Centre for their consultative meeting yesterday. They resolved to go to Mbabane today.