Minister sends delegation to company
SITEKI – There is light at the end of the tunnel for the grievances of Crookes Plantation workers.
Minister of Labour and Social Security Phila Buthelezi yesterday dispatched a high-level delegation of officials to the company to meet with the union and management over the ongoing workers’ protest.
According to the Matsanjeni North Member of Parliament (MP), the officials engaged in a meeting with both parties – management and workers - on finding a lasting solution to the matter.
The minister said he was optimistic that a solution would be found so that the workers may return to their duties.
Today, the protest action entered its 33th day since the strike action started in February.
Agreement
“I will be sending a high-level delegation to meet the employees’ representative and the company’s management. I believe an agreement will be reached so that the workers can return to their duty stations,” Buthelezi said.
Swaziland Agricultural and Plantations Workers Union (SAPWU) President Malungisa Dlamini said they welcomed the minister’s intervention.
Dlamini stated that the company’s management had failed to engage the union for a lasting solution.
● For Employees retiring at 10 years of service and above, there severance package to be calculated by: (10 years of service by 20 days per year) with a daily rate = Severance Allowance.
● Retirement gratuity
● Pension scheme
● Provision of a 70-seater bus service to funeral.
● Provision of a tent.
● Replacement of tractors as a mode of transporting employees.
● Provision of transport to and from Nkilongo Bus Station and or Big Bend Bus Rank on Saturdays and Sundays.
The president acknowledged that the company would effect the ‘no work, no pay’ rule, hence the workers have to brace themselves for that.
He shared that the workers were advised to go home to collect food to eat during the days of the strike.
“It is unfortunate that the issues raised by the workers are within the parameter of the labour laws. We hope they will listen to the workers in the presence of the ministry,” he said.
The company’s General Manager, Lucky Ngwenya, said he noted the visit by the delegation sent by the minister and that management would cooperate with it.
The union tabled 13 demands from the company, which included a 15 per cent wage increment and education allowance to the tune of E3 500 for seasonal and permanent staff.
● Principle of promotion and or engagement.
● Tonnage of cane cutters.
● Annual leave taken as day offs by seasonal employees at request.
● Six morvite packs a week.
● Social facilities.
● Wage increment of 15 per cent across the board
● Definitions of employment categories:
● Seasonal Contract Employees.
● Returning Seasonal Contract Employees.
● Short term Contract Employees.
● Permanent Contract Employees.
● Casual Employees.
● Fixed term contract Employees.