Swazi Observer

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COULD STRIKE BE TAKING ITS TOLL ON MVA CEO?

By Lungelo Nkambule | 2018-03-13

Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accident Fund(SMVAF) Chief Executive Fund Helmon Vilakati yesterday checked himself into hospital as the ongoing strike by his employees entered its second week.

Unionised SMVAF employees are currently engaged in a strike action over outstanding Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) and unimplemented Salary Review that took place in 2014.

The employees accuse management of slacking when it comes to their welfare and complete disregard of their grievances.

Vilakati was yesterday spotted at Mbabane Clinic limping by the reception where he asked to see one of the doctors. This is not the first time the CEO has beeen spotted at the clinic since the beginning of the strike as last week Tuesday, on the second day of the strike he was seen there. The employees on the other hand have continued with the strike and have vowed not to return to work until their grievances have been addressed. They have further promised to stage a strike action at the Ingwenyama Cup Final at Somhlolo Stadium if they don't receive anything by then.

"We are tired, our employer can sponsor soccer tournaments but fails to pay us what is due to us so we will disturb the soccer tournament and show the world that our management has double standards," the employees said.

They said while they supported the sponsorship of the tournament they felt as human resource they must be first preference over anything because they help generate the money for the company.

The strike action began last Monday after the two parties failed to reach an agreement. Of note this is the first ever SMVAF strike action and the employees have vowed not to return to work. They have also called for the dismissal of the company CEO and human resources manager citing them as the problem within the company.

This is the second strike action by a parastatal in a space of four months, following the Swaziland Revenue Authority strike that took place in December.

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