Eswatini: Recognise the teachers union, respect workers' rights
 | In partnership with the Education International, the Global Union Federation representing teachers and education workers with 383 member organisations in 178 countries. The Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) represents education workers in Eswatini. |
For too many years, the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), its President Mbongwa Dlamini, and General Secretary Lot Mduduzi Vilakati have been targeted by the authorities of Eswatini. In June 2024, the International Labour Conference expressed “deep concern over the deteriorating state of public order and its negative impact on trade union rights in Eswatini, along with a culture of impunity for crimes against trade unionists.” The ILO urged the Government to take effective, urgent, and time-bound measures to refrain from violent treatment, intimidation, or harassment (including judicial harassment) of leaders and members of trade unions in the education sector conducting lawful trade union activities, and to conduct independent investigations into the persecution of Mr. Mbongwa Dlamini. Furthermore, it called for ensuring that workers’ organisations, including the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) and SNAT, have the autonomy and independence needed to fulfill their mandate and represent their members. Since the ILO recommendations, the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Education and his senior management have met weekly with SNAT representatives. However, the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) continues to refuse to release the SNAT President's teacher wage despite two industrial court orders. The TSC also refuses to meet with teacher union representatives to address key policies and practices affecting the profession.
