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MANZINI – New ideas are coming through regarding Eswatini Kombis and Buses Allied Workers Union (EKABAWU) members on their medical and burial scheme.

$bout a fortnight ago, E.$%$:8 came up with a proposal with public transport worNers for establishing a fund that would worN as their med ical and burial scheme.

Feedback

$ccording to E.$%$:8 1a tional 2rganiser 0u]i 1hleNo, who is also a founding member of the public transport worNers¶ union, the feedbacN they received as they spoNe to worNers from various bus ranNs across the country was over

THE RIGHT TO BE INFORMED PROMPTLY whelming.

1hleNo said their members had

Notwithstanding the provisions of SUBSECTION (11), A COURT OR ADJUDICATgiven them many ideas. +e said some of their members suggested that apart from the initial idea of having the fund to assist them in taNing care of those who might fall sicN or families of public trans port worNers in burying them, it could sell services to the public.

Fund

“2ne idea which was support ed by many was that the fund should have tents and chairs, to be used in funerals of their colleagues and rent out to members of the pub lic,´ 1hleNo said.

%y so doing, he said the fund would not depend on subscriptions for revenue and it would be easy for it to grow.

WORKERS

2n top of that, he said the worNers were of the view that if the fund could have a car (baNNie) for a start, which would be used to assist be reaved families when preparing for funerals and transporting the tents and chairs.

$lso, he said the car could be used for hire.

)urthermore, 1hleNo said there was also a suggestion that they should establish a relationship with one of the funeral parlours and have an agreement that would see public

transport worNers Moining it through the fund.

+e said it was noted that the 6wa]i land 1ational $ssociation of Teach ers (61$T) %urial 6cheme was constantly mentioned after the idea was put on the table.

,n that regard, the E.$%$:8 executive member said they were encouraged to worN hard and with speed to finalise the proposal so that it could become a reality. +e said issues, which they were yet to discuss at national level, included subscriptions and how to rope in public transport operators.

+e said this was because in the first place, employers in general, had an obligation to taNe care of their worNers¶ welfare, which include contributions to Eswatini 1ational 3rovident )und (E13)), pension fund and medical aid.