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Solidarity with the General Strike in Swaziland

Issue date

25 Jul 2007

General strike in Swaziland

25-26 July 2007

TUC solidarity

The TUC has issued a call for solidarity with striking trade unionists in Swaziland, where Africa's longest state of emergency is still in force, preventing trade unions from operating freely, and preventing democratic reforms. Swaziland essentially remains a feudal monarchy, with high levels of poverty, HIV-AIDS and unemployment.

Together with Zimbabwe, Swaziland is now being targeted by trade unions in the region (especially the influential COSATU in South Africa), Action on Southern Africa (ACTSA) and the TUC. Anti-union repression is a common feature of both countries, and southern Africa will not be truly free until democracy and good governance are established in both countries.

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber has sent the following message to the Swaziland High Commissioner in London, and you can find out more and join in by sending an email through the ACTSA website at http://www.actsa.org/Pages/Page.php?pID=1224&title=Swaziland%20News

TUC letter to the Swaziland High Commissioner

HE Mrs Mary Madzandza Kanya

Kingdom of Swaziland High Commission

20 Buckingham Gate

London SW1E 6LB

Dear High Commissioner

Solidarity with trade unions in Swaziland

I would be grateful if you would convey to your Government the strong support of the Trades Union Congress, with our 59 affiliated trade unions and their 6.5 million members, for the actions being taken this week by our colleagues in Swaziland, the Swaziland Federation of Labour (SFL), the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU), the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) and all the other workers participating in the national general strike on 25-26 July 2007.

We fully support them in their calls for the abolition of taxation of benefits, controls against companies who violate basic workers' rights, greater consultation over privatisation and for the 2008 election to take place under a multiparty system. The TUC condemns the long-running state of emergency in Swaziland, and we have no faith in the current constitution to deliver good governance, economic justice or trade union and other human rights.

I would be grateful if you would urge your government to meet the demands of the trade unions in Swaziland by respecting basic workers' rights and ensuring that the 2008 election is conducted fairly and democratically.

Yours sincerely

Brendan Barber

General Secretary

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