Global Rights Index 2014 - Swaziland
| Publisher | International Trade Union Confederation |
| Publication Date | 19 May 2014 |
| Cite as | International Trade Union Confederation, Global Rights Index 2014 - Swaziland, 19 May 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/53bcf986d.html [accessed 23 October 2022] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Country Rating: 5
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No guarantee of rights
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Countries with the rating of 5 are the worst countries in the world to work in. While the legislation may spell out certain rights, workers have effectively no access to these rights and are therefore exposed to autocratic regimes and unfair labour practices.
Repression of trade union activities during the Global Week of Action: Vincent Ncongwane, General Secretary of the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland, was arrested and put under house arrest for attempting to stage an illegal protest on 5 September 2013. TUCOSWA fully complied with Swazi laws by announcing a protest march for the Global Week of Action on 15 August 2013 to both police and the Commissioner of Labour. The Commissioner of Labour claimed not to have received the notice and argued that TUCOSWA may not organise any protests because it is not a registered trade union federation.
Jay Naidoo, Alec Muchadehama, Paul Verryn who were invited as international experts to act as panellists during the Global Inquiry Panel Swaziland as well as Paliani Chinguwo from the Southern African Trade Union Coordination Council (SATUCC) were questioned at the police station upon arrival in Manzini on 5 September 2013.
On 4 and 5 September police followed staff from the ITUC, COSATU, FES/DGB and Industriall around the clock. A few hours before the Global Inquiry Panel Swaziland was scheduled to begin, police and military entered the venue and blocked the meeting room. Senior police officers stated theyhad verbal instructions to prevent the inquiry but were not able to produce a court order.
Police raided the head offices of TUCOSWA: Police raided the head offices of TUCOSWA at 8 am on 1 May 2013, arresting the President of TUCOSWA, Barnes Dlamini, and the 1st Deputy Secretary General, Mduduzi Gina. Their arrests followed that of Vincent Ncongwane, Secretary General of TUCOSWA, Muzi Mhlanga, 2nd Deputy Secretary General, and Jabulile Shiba, the Deputy Treasurer General, who were all placed under house arrest that morning. May Day celebrations organised by TUCOSWA at the Salesian Sports Ground in Manzini were forced to be called off, as police prohibited workers from shouting TUCOSWA slogans or from displaying TUCOSWA banners.
Arrests of trade unionists: On 12 April 2013, Wander Mkhonza was again arrested in Lavumisa Border Gate on allegations that he was in possession of seditious pamphlets belonging to a political organisation.
Prime Minister Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini, when addressing heads of government parastatal companies, warned that management should only negotiate with unions that are "recognised by and working within the Swazi legal system". This implies that the government encourages managers not to negotiate with TUCOSWA.
