29 April 2022
ATUSWA WELCOMES THE INTERVENTION BY THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD ON THE GARMENT DISPUTE.
The Amalgamated Trade Union of Swaziland (ATUSWA) which is the only union organized in the Textile and Apparel Industry in Swaziland welcomes the decision taken by the Labour Advisory Board (LAB) in its Special Meeting that took place on the 28th of April 2022, to intervene in the current labour dispute on wages in the garment industry. The LAB is a tripartite body that is generally the highest decision making structure on labour matters. The LAB has since called a meeting scheduled for the 02nd of May 2022.
Our organization is and has always been committed to dialogue in order to find a lasting solution to the wage dispute affecting most workers in general and in particular the workers under the garment sector, but the arrogance of the Textile and Apparel Industry employers has made the environment not conducive for a constructive engagement.
Some of the challenges that led to and or perpetuated the current dispute is the employers’ insistence on taking a uniformed position on wages despite the fact that most companies can afford to pay more. These employers insist on “price fixing” instead of fairly rewarding their employees.
The employers and stakeholders should be reminded that successfulness of the dialogue will be dependent on employers meeting the E15/hr. demand. We reiterate that the workers’ demand is fair and reasonable.
Issued by
Wander Mkhonza, ATUSWA Secretary General
Posted in 
