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MBABANE – Local workers should strive to support each other regardless of their affiliation. This was said by the Secretary General of the Amalgamated Trade Union of Swaziland (ATUSWA), Wander Mkhonza.
According to SG Mkhonza, the textile workers are expected to fill up the Mayaluka, Big Bend Stadium, where Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) will be hosting all affiliated workers during the May Day celebrations, which are held annually, all across the globe while the Federation of Swaziland Trade Unions (FESWATU), will be hosting their day at the Riders Ranch at Sidvokodvo.
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“It is a day that belongs to the workers, not only leadership and on this day, in particular, we will join hands together and call upon solidarity among workers. It doesn’t matter whether you are a textile worker or a teacher, we must strive to support each other needless of our affiliation or geographical location,” explained Mkhonza, yesterday.
Meanwhile, the SG stated that it was time that workers united and stood with each other in solidarity.
“It doesn’t matter whether you are a textile worker located in Nhlangano, if your fellow member is having problems in Matsapha, it should be your responsibility to support their cause,” SG Mkhonza said.
International Workers’ Day, also known as Labour Day in some countries and often referred to as May Day, is a celebration of labourers and the working classes, that is promoted by the international labour movement and occurs every year on May 1, or the first Monday in May.
In this day there is a commemoration of historic struggles and gains made by workers and the labour movement, observed in many countries. In the United States and Canada a similar observance, known as Labour Day, occurs on the first Monday of September.
MBABANE – Meanwhile, the ATUSWA secretary general (SG) lauded the current Minister of Labour and Social Security, Phila Buthelezi, who has made a call for the implementation of the new wages as stipulated in the government gazette.
“I think this time around government was spot on through the minister, as he has already engaged all relevant stakeholders,” said Mkhonza.
The labour movement is an ongoing struggle and it is a daily battle for recognition of our organisation by the employers in all sectors.
I would like to commend most of the shop stewards under ATUSWA for their diligence in ensuring that every worker is represented. We are busy these days with negotiations, as on the May 10, we will be at the bargaining table.
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Meanwhile, our sister publication Times of Eswatini Daily reported that the minister will not be attending any May Day celebration this coming Monday.
The minister said that he was not invited, at least on time, by the workers as had been the case in previous celebrations.
Minister Buthelezi confirmed on Thursday that he will not be attending any events where workers will be celebrating their day.
The minister was responding to allegations, whereby, some affiliates of trade unions to the effect that government preferred one federation over the other.
This then created wide anticipation on which Workers’ Day commemoration the minister would attend.