The ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) today [22 July 2014] denounced the guilty verdicts delivered against Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) lawyer Thulani Maseko and magazine editor Bheki Makhubu. The ITF has always maintained that their trial, on charges of contempt of court, was politically motivated and part of the same sustained government attempt to silence […]
Swaziland’s continuing workers’ rights abuses saw the country stripped of a special trade agreement with the USA last week. President Obama withdrew the country’s eligibility for the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) last Thursday. Michael Froman, the US trade representative, explained that the decision was taken in light of Swaziland’s continuing labour rights abuses. […]
Basil Thwala, legal advisor to the Swaziland Transport & Allied Workers’ Union (STAWU), was released from prison this weekend. ITF affiliate STAWU has been fighting to free Thwala since 2012, when he was arrested and charged on a picket line protest. Swaziland is one of the world’s last remaining absolute monarchies, and has a record […]
The International Transport Workers’ Federation is disturbed to hear that less than 48 hours after charges were dropped against two human rights’ defenders in Swaziland, fresh warrants have been issued for their arrests. Following a high court order, Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) lawyer Thulani Maseko and The Nation Magazine editor Bheki Makhubu were […]
Swaziland and South Africa-based media are invited to a press conference in Mbabane, Swaziland, on Wednesday to hear the results of a two day fact-finding mission to investigate labour conditions and allegations of severe anti-trade union actions by the Swazi government. The mission has been mounted by the ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) and comprises […]