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By PHEPHILE MOTAU | 2024-05-04
Prime Minister, Russell Dlamini, had to abandon TUCOSWA’s May Day celebration after members of progressive formations disrupted proceedings.
The celebration would have been a momentous occasion for TUCOSWA as they marked the prime minister’s first engagement with workers.
Held under the banner of the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) at the Prince of Wales Sports Ground yesterday, the celebration descended into chaos, resulting in the prime minister leaving without delivering his speech.
The prime minister was accompanied by Minister of Labour and Social Security, Phila Buthelezi and Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Jane Mkhonta-Simelane who were also forced to cut short their stay. This was after members of the progressive formations disrupted proceedings by cutting short the labour minister as he was about to introduce and invite the prime minister to address the workers.
Police also had to use teargas and stun grenades to disperse the crowd that followed the prime minister’s motorcade as he left the arena following the disturbance.
The labour minister was unsuccessful as he tried to engage members of the progressive formations, who responded by uttering unpalatable words and continued to sing, bringing proceedings to an abrupt stop as police moved in.
The minister tried to reason that they were there to hear for themselves what the workers were complaining about but this fell on deaf ears.
As he spoke, the public announcement system was disconnected and reconnected several times, before it was fully disconnected.
TUCOSWA later extended an apology to the prime minister and Cabinet ministers for what transpired.
Secretary General, Mduduzi Gina, said workers were excited and honoured that the highest office of government had graced the event.
He said they believed that this was a loss to workers as they were hopeful that the prime minister would address their issues and make commitments as they saw him taking notes as leaders of unions made presentations.
Gina said as a labour centre, they would attend to the elements that want to project the federation as an opposition to government.
The TUCOSWA General Council, according to Gina, would today meet and come up with a way to deal with the matter holistically, adding that they were excited by the hand that government had extended to workers by showing interest in listening to what they had to say.
“We appreciated this show of hand by the government and we will hopefully make an effort for such engagements to continue,” he said.
Gina said they believed in respect even if they did not see eye to eye in some issues.
“We would like to extend our sincere apologies to government leadership,” Gina said. The day had started well with a procession from the Coronation Park to the sports ground.
At the time, things were peaceful as the workers followed orders but the situation became erratic when members of the progressive formations joined the celebrations, resulting in the proper protocols not being followed.
Members of the Communist Party of Swaziland, who were dressed in the organisation’s paraphernalia, blocked Minister Buthelezi’s car as he entered the sports ground, shouting that they did not want to be in the same venue as government representatives.
He was eventually let through after the police intervened.
This prompted the TUCOSWA leadership to hold a caucus with the leaders of the different affiliates, asking them to call their members to order or the celebrations should be called off.
It was then decided that they should continue. However, the members of the progressive formations continued disrupting proceedings, standing in front of the podium, repeatedly chanting that they did not want government, much to the chagrin of the organisers.
When the prime minister arrived, police formed a human shield as he was led to the tent.
Some of the entertainers did not get to perform as workers left immediately after the prime minister.
Some were overheard complaining that they wished to hear what the government had to say after their representatives had raised a number of issues.
Representatives of the trade unions showed their appreciation to the prime minister for honouring the celebration.
Although they had many grievances that they had, they showed some respect.
Other members of the progressive formations included members of proscribed People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) Youth League President Sakhile ‘Aw’viva’ Nxumalo and Wandile Dludlu.
Govt still looking to meaningful engagement – PM
The Prime Minister, Russell Dlamini, says government still looks forward to engage meaningfully with labour unions as they make Eswatini better for all.
In a statement following the interruption at the Workers Day celebrations, Dlamini said together with the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Phila Buthelezi, and the Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Jane Mkhonta-Simelane, they attended the celebrations organised by the TUCOSWA as per their invitation.
“Unfortunately, we did not get the opportunity to deliver our message to workers as the audience began chanting political songs and the sound system was deliberately interrupted,” he said. The prime minister said they arrived on time to listen to the statements delivered by the workers’ organisations, even though the level of engagement demonstrated was rather hostile and aggressive.
contributions
“Nonetheless, we did hear the contributions and requests from workers, which government notes and will take forward. As we were witnessing the event, government also realised the need, going forward, to capacitate the leadership of unions,” he said.
Dlamini said His Majesty’s Government had extended its hands to engaging with trade unions on their important day, however, it is apparent that union members were not ready to engage with government.
‘Minimum wage, workers’ welfare being looked into’
In his prepared speech, which he was unable to read during the celebrations, the Prime Minister, Russell Dlamini, tells workers that the minimum wage and the entire welfare of workers was being looked into by government.
He stated that although they may not promise heaven and earth, they were committing themselves to this.
“This commitment was aligned with the Decent Work Country
Programme (DWCP) for 2022-2025 as adopted by Cabinet and publicly launched on November 17, 2022 which was signed at a high level by the prime minister of the time,” stated the premier.
He said that demonstrated the high commitment of His Majesty’s Government in improving the standard of living for all workers in this country, much in line with TICOSWA’s May Day theme of ‘Social justice and decent work for All.’
“In this regard, government has taken note of the agreed roadmap that has been developed by the tripartite constituent partners on the process towards coming up with a national minimum wage and assures our constituents that we support this process, ” the prime minister stated.
He reminded the workers that unionisation, historically came about in order to allow workers to collectively negotiate better terms and conditions of service, including salaries, wages and protection of labour rights. As workers celebrated Workers Day, he stated that if workers did not come together, individual workers would not have the requisite strength of joint bargaining and fighting against abuse and infringements of labour rights.
“It is important, therefore, to recall that the main focus of unions is to protect workers’ interests in relation to their employment and labour rights. It is equally critical for workers to understand that the prime minister, Cabinet and all public servants are also workers.”
The prime minister further stated that members of the current administration would like their fellow workers to know that government has their interests.
Touching on issues of health, he stated that the ministry of health had already been mandated to work on the National Health Insurance Scheme, while the deputy prime minister’s office and the ministry of labour and social security work on various social security programmes in an effort to ensure comprehensive social coverage for every Liswati in this country.
“These programmes are all tailored with the Liswati worker in mind, to make both work and life decent for them.”
He noted that unions could do more to advance the interests of workers because when workers were focused on other issues, other than their direct socio-economic interests, which is why they were employed, then their economic interests were normally left behind.
“We therefore implore every one of us here to join hands in ensuring the effective implementation of the national Decent Work Country Programme as the main vehicle that has been agreed and adopted by government, workers and employers towards social justice and decent work for all,” he stated.
PM says govt committed to growing economy
Government has committed to growing the economy in order to create more employment as well as increase disposable income for the people.
Prime Minister, Russell Dlamini, together with Cabinet, has challenged workers to work with government to build the country. “This is the right time for us to work together and not fight. We are not enemies, but we have the same interest to build our country,” stated the prime minister in his speech.
The workers also spoke about government’s failure to meet their organisation. The premier further stated that government looked forward to meeting the leadership of the various organisations that represent workers to share the vision they pursue as the new administration.
“Working together has proven to bring economic success.
“Workers have done well in terms of co-operatives and savings groups, which is really commendable. I now encourage all workers who have not started to save to do so. Save, no matter how small your savings are. Do not consume all that you earn,” he said. He went on to state that workers could be part of investments by buying shares and by saving as in the long run, this became significant and further encouraged them by making propositions that would transform their lives as workers.
“Primarily, I would like to motivate that we can be better than where we are today and our future can be brighter if we maintain the right mindset. Workers, for instance, can build their own banks that will enable us to access finance at low rates. Through these banks, we can lend even to our employers and charge them reasonable interest rates,” Dlamini said.
On jobs, he said teachers could build private schools and make a decent living from that and nurses could build private clinics and hospitals and make a decent living from that as well.
The PM added that government had noted the outcry on corruption and invited all workers to work with them to fight corruption. “We urge individuals who have been asked to pay for jobs and who have been asked to pay for promotions to report such to the police and authorities so that these bad apples can be dealt with.” The prime minister said he was optimistic that they could work together, to maintain the peace and prosperity of Eswatini by respecting the rule of law, which ensures that all people feel safe and are treated equally.
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