ATUSWA NATIONAL SHOP STEWARD TRAINING A RESOUNDING SUCCESS

The Amalgamated Trade Union of Swaziland (ATUSWA) is humbled by the resounding success of its National Shop Steward Training which was held on the 03 – 04 of August 2018 at the Bosco Skills Center. The Training themed “Implementation of knowledge is wisdom” which was the first of its kind saw a participation of 44 percent women Shop stewards from the garment and manufacturing sectors.

As part of the training activities which included grievance handling, organizing and disciplinary procedures, the union also introduced an Android application which will assist Shop stewards and workers to access all labour laws, wages orders and ATUSWA policies by tapping the screen of their mobile phones.

The overwhelming attendance of the training, which was attended by 121 out of the expected 130 ATUSWA Shop stewards and 9 out of the expected 16 Shop stewards from sister organizations affiliated to the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) is a clear sign that workers of our land yearn for education and unity and that they are prepared to make sacrifices in order to improve their livelihood. To us it is very important to build unity and cohesion within TUCOSWA in particular and amongst workers in general. We trust that the tree we have planted as ATUSWA will grow to bear fruits that will grow and unify the Trade Union movement in our country and beyond.

Through active participation and activism that was observed during the two days training, we are confident that the Shop stewards are sharper and eager to protect, defend and advance the interests of members.

We are encouraged that most employers released Shop stewards from their duties to attend the training and we say shame to those employers who want to have uninformed Shop stewards representing their employees. In the same vein we applaud our sister organizations within TUCOSWA for being part of a process to build worker to worker solidarity within and across the industries.

Prepared by

Wonder Mkhonza
Secretary General