A total shut down as the biggest strike action by the Swaziland civil
servants approaches. SSN calls for solidarity.
Alert: 25 January, 2019
The Swaziland Solidarity Network [SSN] extends its solidarity with the
public sector unions of Swaziland as they embark in a biggest strike action
in history. The unions under the umbrella of the Public Sector Associations
of Swaziland [PSAS] which are all affiliates of the biggest and
revolutionary Trade Union Congress of Swaziland [TUCOSWA] are:
1. Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT)
2. Swaziland National Association of Government Accountants Personnel
(SNAGAP)
3. Swaziland Nurses Association (SNA)
4. National Public Service and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU).
We call on the International media to cover and report on the strike. The
workers’ demands and contacts details of the unions are tabled in the
statement below:
STATEMENT OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR ASSOCIATIONS OF SWAZILAND [PSAS] ON THE COST
OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT (COLA ) FOR THE YEARS 2017/2018 AND 2018/ 2019
PSAS INCLUDE:
A. THE SWAZILAND NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TEACHERS (SNAT)
B. THE SWAZILAND NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTING PERSONNEL
(SNAGAP)
C. THE SWAZILAND NURSES ASSOCIATION (SNA)
D. THE NATIONAL PUBLIC SERVICES AND ALLIED WORKERS UNION (NAPSAWU)
1. PREAMBLE
We, the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), the Swaziland
National Association of Government Accounting Personnel (SNAGAP), the
Swaziland Nurses Association (SNA) and the National Public Services and
Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU) as worker organisations for over 25 000
workers under the employ of the Government of Swaziland have been engaging
with our employer on the Cost of Living Adjustment [CoLA] for the last two
(2) financial years 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 in vain, doing so whilst united
in consciousness in pursuit of workers’ rights. To this end therefore, we;
I. Acknowledge the indisputable fact that our members are now living far
below the normal breadline since the Government has dismally failed to
adjust our salaries for two consecutive financial years, resulting to a
14.4 % salary deduction.
II. Mindful of the lavish government spending on non-priority and capital
projects such as the construction of the International Convention Centre
[ICC], funding of festivities such as the Umhlanga Reed Dance, 50/50
celebrations for the King’s Birthday and Independence Day Celebrations and
catering for huge delegations to international trips.
III. Inspired by past practice and logic that even though cash liquidity
problems can be sung nicely by those responsible for the public purse,
workers’ salaries such as the Cost of Living Adjustment have always been a
priority, rightfully so, in order to stimulate economic growth by pumping
money to workers for same to be circulated in the economy.
- Convinced that, in this country of our forefathers, money is in abundance
since there has never been a suspension or cutting on spending for cultural
events, delegations and spending on vanity capital projects as highlighted
above.
>From the afore-going, we therefore;
1.Declare that should the Government of Swaziland fail to table a proposed
and improved salary adjustment by the 27th of January 2019, all the
Government systems shall be brought to a complete halt on the 28th of
January 2019 as workers would be having zero motivation to go to work.
2. ATTENDANT PROBLEMS OF THE GOVERNMENT’S FISCAL ILL-DISCIPLINE
As a result of the fiscal ill-discipline on the part of Government, the
following societal problems have reared their ugly heads.
● Shortage of drugs and other materials in public clinics, health centres
and hospitals
● Stagnant Orphaned and Vulnerable Children [OVC] fees that are paid to
schools, thereby rendering schools ungovernable
● Non repairing of public roads, in the midst of the heavy rains that have
swept across the country in recent times
● Ever swelling public debt as Government fails to pay her suppliers
● Non delivery of basic services to the populace such as safe drinking
water and expansion of the rural electrification project
● Cessation of the construction and upgrading of essential public roads
such as the Sicunusa-Nhlangano road
● Underdevelopment of rural agriculture through the Rural
● Development Areas Programme – the mainstay of our economy
● Lack of funding for the Small and Medium Enterprises [SMEs]
● Non improvement of the 63% poverty level in the country
● Shrinking scholarships for our children who have enrolled in tertiary
education
● Proposal of high taxes to fund the country’s deficit
● Non remittance of monies to the Public Service Pensions Fund – A
retirement fund for Public Servants.
Whilst these problems are deepening in our society, the Government has
continued to;
● Increase the budget for the state security organs which are the army,
police and correctional services
● Unrelentingly increased recruitment in the aforementioned departments
● Drastically decrease recruitment in other significant departments such as
Education, Health and Public Service
● Maintain the high numbers of the delegations that go abroad
● Maintain the high taxes on salaries and tariffs on utilities
● Increase funding of state events as it was witnessed during the 50/50
celebrations, Umhlanga and Incwala.
● Spend over E40 million in fuelling cars, paying for allowances and
providing daily meals for the members of the Royal Police Service [RSP] who
were dispatched to various schools around the country from October 2018 to
run external examinations.
3. CONCLUSION
As the Public Sector Unions in the country, we will be engaging on a
national strike from 28 January 2019 and as such we call upon every
concerned Swazi, from all walks of life, who associates with the problems
that were highlighted above to partake in this National activity.
All Government systems shall be down during these days. These include
Government offices, Ministries, departments, schools, clinics,
healthcentres and hospitals, transport department and many others. Let us
ALL stand up and be counted in this imperative exercise of making the
Government of Swaziland to be accountable to the people. Now is the Time!!!!
Let us be united in consciousness as a people. Both the country and the
future belongs to all of us, both great and small. Let us shape our
destiny..!!
Unity of purpose, a force unparalleled!!!
Issued By: Public Sector Associations of Swaziland [PSAS] Secretariat
1. SIKELELA DLAMINI-SNAT SG
Contact details: Cell: [+268 7626 6808/+268 7639 6803/+268 7926 6803]
Email: {snatg...@gmail.com}
2. CELUMUSA TEMBE-NAPSAWU GS
Contact details:Cell: [+268 7604 7425]
Email: {g...@napsawu.org.sz}
3. DUMILE DLAMINI-SNAGAP GS
Contact details:
Cell: [+268 7608 3798]
Email: {dumilemthu...@gmail.com}
4. SIBUSISO LUSHABA-SNA GS
Contact details:
Cell: [+268 7802 6303]
Email: {mahleli...@gmail.com}
*Lucky Lukhele- *
*Tell:011 339 3621*
*Fax: **0866162206*
*Mobile: 072 502 4141*
*Email: lucky.lukh...@gmail.com <lucky.lukh...@gmail.com> *
Skype: LuckyLukhele1
Twitter: @lukhelelucky
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