South African unions and civil society march for democracy in Eswatini 19 August, 2021IndustriALL Global Union affiliate, the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA), joined civil society organizations in a march to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Pretoria to demand democratic reforms in Eswatini.
Take action for eSwatini!5 August, 2021eSwatini (formerly known as Swaziland) has been rocked by strong protests since end of May. Join our call to action supporting protestors calling for democratic reforms in Africa’s last absolute monarchy.
Unions demand democratic reforms in Eswatini2 July, 2021IndustriALL Global Union affiliates in Eswatini are urging the government to heed demands for democratic reforms as expressed in the national protests that are taking place in the country.
Strengthening the digital capacity of IndustriALL affiliates 19 March, 2021The Covid-19 pandemic has forced workers around the world to find alternative ways to communicate, interact and work, becoming more reliant on digital solutions. As we have had to physically distance, union work and organizing have also become increasingly digital. To that end, IndustriALL has been active in strengthening affiliates’ digital capacity.
Employer sues Eswatini union for strike damages15 September, 2020Taiwanese-owned FTM Garments is taking the Amalgamated Trade Unions of Swaziland (ATUSWA) to court over alleged loss of production for four days and damages to property following a picket two years ago. The union says the lawsuit is an attempt to weaken the union.
“We will be killed by hunger before the coronavirus gets us”6 May, 2020Over 18,000 workers in the textile and garment sector in Eswatini have not been paid since the announcement of the lockdown to control the spread of Covid-19. This means that the workers have no money to buy food, pay rent, bills and other basics.
Unions in Sub-Saharan Africa strengthened by solidarity18 April, 2019Unions in Sub-Saharan Africa face economic recession, deindustrialization, and precarious work coupled by high unemployment and poverty. Human and workers’ rights violations are common, including unfair retrenchments when mines and companies are closed.
eSwatini union condemns violence against striking workers20 September, 2018Garment and textile union workers are not relenting on their demands for better wages and working conditions despite the use of excessive force by the Royal eSwatini Police which led to the arrest and injury of scores of workers.
eSwatini: Workers protest textile companies’ refusal to increase wages5 September, 2018Over 10,000 workers from five factories in Nhlangano took mass action to vent their anger over low wages last week. At Zheng Yong, workers were locked in the factory when the employers ran away.
eSwatini: Union celebrates court victory28 April, 2018IndustriALL Global Union affiliate, the Amalgamated Trade Union of Swaziland (ATUSWA) is overjoyed after the Industrial Court in Mbabane, Swaziland - recently renamed eSwatini - confirmed on April 26 that the Swaziland Processing, Refining and Allied Workers Union and the Swaziland Manufacturing and Allied Workers Union merged to form the union.