03 September 2025

The rapture in the mining sector leads to bloodbath as more workers continue to lose jobs inside and outside of Swaziland. Just today we were informed by our South African counterparts that one of the biggest employers in the mining sector in South Africa, Glencore, is in the process of shedding thousands of jobs as it has issued a section 189 notice which is similar to our own section 40 of the Employment Act 1980. Worth noting is that Glencore is the biggest buyer of Swaziland’s anthracite coal which is usually used in metallurgical processes. The trade war between the United States of America and the rest of the world make a difficult situation worse.

Fresh from retrenching 240 workers, the Maloma coal mine is in the process of terminating a further 140 workers. ATUSWA was invited to a meeting on Monday, the 1st of September 2025, to formerly communicate the Maloma’s intention to shut down 0ne shaft in order to maintain operational with the hope that the situation would improve. This is in the backdrop of the closure of Eswatini anthracite, a mine that is barely fully operational as it was opened in 2024. The Amalgamated Trade Union of Swaziland (ATUSWA) had started recognition processes after over 90 percent of workers joined the union.

While workers confirm the difficulties the business is currently facing, the union believes that employers should consider workers sustainability beyond employment in order to safeguard their dignity and that of their families. When we demanded payment through the Eswatini National Provident Fund, particularly by the Textile and Apparel workers during the Covid19 epidemic, we had hoped that the unemployment insurance scheme would be set up as quickly as possible, yet again, the government has demonstrated a lackluster attitude towards the urgent needs of the workers.

The union recognizes the need to protect some jobs, because overstretching the mine at this time might lead to a total closure which would jeopardize future employment opportunities even for the workers that would be affected by the scaling down of operations.

We implore the mines that are implementing mass dismissals to act in responsible during this difficult time. Moreover, we demand for the speeding up of the unemployment benefit fund in order to cushion workers during difficult times. We further call on all employers to equip their employees with skills which would make survival possible after their formal employment come to an end.

Issued by

Vusi Dladla

President