Waves of strikes and protests are expected in Swaziland in the days
running up to the national election.
Public servants and others are protesting about poor
wages. Teachers and nurses are expected to be among those stopping work for three days. The
strike is being coordinated by the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA).
The Ministry of Education and Training has announced
schools will remain closed for the duration of the strike starting Tuesday
(18 September 2018). In a poll 98.63 percent of teachers voted for strike
action.
Workers want a national
minimum wage of E3,500 (US$ 234.27) a month, and an increase in elderly grants (pensions)
to E1,500. Public sector workers also want a cost of living salary adjustment. The
Government says it is broke and has offered zero percent.
In a statement
the Communist Party of Swaziland, which is banned in the kingdom, said
workers also wanted the legalisation of solidarity strikes, an increase in
health and education funding and an end to arbitrary evictions especially on
the working class and poor.
Four major protests are planned for Tuesday in the
cities and towns of Manzini, Mbabane, Siteki and Nhlangano.
Among the unions expected
to take part are the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT),
the National Public Service and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU), Swaziland
Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU) and the Swaziland National Association of
Government Accounting Personnel (SNAGAP).
The national election
takes place on Friday 21 September 2018 in Swaziland (recently
renamed Eswatini by its absolute monarch King Mswati III). Political
parties are banned from taking part and people are only permitted to elect 59
members of the House of Assembly; King Mswati appoints a further 10. None of
the 30 members of the Swazi Senate are elected by the people.
The King chooses the
Prime Minister and government as well as top civil servants and judges.
See also
Swaziland
Nurses Picket, Drugs Run Out, Lives Put at Risk as Government Fails to Pay
Suppliers
Swaziland
Police Fire Gunshots During Textiles Dispute, Third Attack on Workers in a Week
Swaziland
Teacher Who Stopped Police Chief Shooting Into Unarmed Crowd Appears in Court
https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2018/08/swaziland-teacher-who-stopped-police.html
Police in Swaziland Attack Nurses With Taser During Peaceful Protest Over Pay
Police in Swaziland Attack Nurses With Taser During Peaceful Protest Over Pay
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