Forwarded message:
From: "Charley Lewis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: Sid Shniad <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Fri, 17 Oct 1997 16:23:57 +0000
Subject: Re: SFTU (2)
Reply-to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
In-reply-to: <199710171345.GAA04662@fraser>
References: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> from "Charley Lewis" at Oct 17,
97 10:54:10 am
14 OCTOBER 1997
COSATU STATEMENT ON THE SWAZILAND STRIKE -
It is with a great sense of frustration that we again come out in
support of the struggles of the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions
(SFTU) against the intransigence of the Swaziland authorities. This
struggle has been going on for a very long time. Since 1993 there have
been constant tensions between the Swaziland authorities and the trade
union movement in Swaziland. During these tensions the union leaders
of the SFTU have been detained and false charges laid against them. On
one occasion the General Secretary of the SFTU was kidnapped locked in
the boot of a car.
Several international delegations have been to Swaziland to try and
assist in resolving the impasse between the government of Swaziland
and the trade union movement. These include organisations such as the
SATUCC, ICFTU, SADC and the ILO. Sadly, and regrettably, these
delegations have had their efforts spurned and their recommendations
scorned by the Swaziland authorities. Agreements that have been
reached in the Labour Advisory Board (LAB) have not been honoured by
the Swaziland authorities, yet the Swaziland government is represented
in this tripartite forum.
It is becoming a habit that every year the SFTU is forced to embark on
mass action because the Swaziland authorities do not take heed of
their concerns, and the concerns of the Swazi citizens. Every year we
are called upon to try and assist in resolving the impasse. Even
internationally respected individuals such as President Mandela,
President Chissano and President Mugabe, have on their capacities as
SADC leaders intervened, but their efforts have been frustrated by the
Swaziland authorities.
The Swaziland government has consistently blamed external interference
for their problems. However, they voluntarily signed the core
conventions of the ILO. When they signed these conventions they
committed themselves to a labour legislation that respects trade union
and worker rights. COSATU in line with its principle of international
worker solidarity will always do what it can to help the SFTU and
other democratic forces overcome this feudal and undemocratic regime
which is extremely anti-trade union. Solidarity knows no borders when
human and trade union rights are violated.
We take this opportunity to express solidarity with the SFTU and other
democratic forces engaged in the struggle to make Swaziland a
democratic state. We support the current mass action undertaken by the
workers, students and the teachers in Swaziland. If we were in their
position we would probably have taken the same decisions. Even though
it is at times frustrating to always come out and demand the same
things, we will not tire until the government and authorities of
Swaziland come to their senses and honour the agreements they have
signed with their social partners, the ILO conventions they have
voluntarily signed, and move the country into an irreversible process
towards full democracy.
In due course we will decide, together with the SATUCC, on the forms
of action to take to pledge solidarity with our comrades in Swaziland.
Issued by:
ZWELINZIMA VAVI
DEPUTY GENERAL SECRETARY
Zwelinzima Vavi
Charley Lewis
Head of Department
COSATU Information Technology Unit
E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Tel: 27 + 11 + 339-4911
fax: 27 + 11 + 339-2281
Snail-mail: Box 1019
Johannesburg
2000
South Africa
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