2007 Swazi general strike
Encyclopedia
The 2007 Swazi
general strike has been ongoing since 25 July 2007, led by the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions
, the Swaziland Federation of Labour
and the Swaziland National Association of Teachers
. They plan to stage a two-day full stoppage of public life every month until the incumbent absolute monarch Mswati III
gives in to their demands: multi-party elections in October 2008
, that benefits cease to be taxed and an end to absolute monarchy
.
The first two-day stoppage occurred on 25 July in Manzini and on 26 July in Mbabane
, when tens of thousands of workers demonstrated on the streets. The demonstrations constituted Swaziland's biggest civil movement for over a decade, since the last large-scale protests in 1996.
Government spokespersons denied the unions' and strikers' claims, stating that they should not demonstrate, but rather lobby the parliament, as only parliament has the power to change the constitution to allow multi-party elections.
On 2 August 2007, union representatives threatened further strikes if the government was not willing to listen, and also raised labour issues in addition to their political demands.
Swaziland
Swaziland, officially the Kingdom of Swaziland , and sometimes called Ngwane or Swatini, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, bordered to the north, south and west by South Africa, and to the east by Mozambique...
general strike has been ongoing since 25 July 2007, led by the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions
Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions
-External links:* and the COSATU.* -Affiliates:There are 21 trade unions affiliated to the SFTU.* Building and Construction Workers Union * Swaziland Agricultural and Plantation Workers Union * Swaziland Commercial Workers Union...
, the Swaziland Federation of Labour
Swaziland Federation of Labour
The Swaziland Federation of Labour was created in 1994 as a break-away union from the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions. It has 12 affiliates covering manufacturing, retail, finance, IT, media and non-teaching staff, amongst other things. Originally 5,000 strong, the membership of the...
and the Swaziland National Association of Teachers
Swaziland National Association of Teachers
The Swaziland National Association of Teachers was formed in 1928. SNAT is called an 'association' because associations are more easily registered than trade unions in Swaziland. SNAT represents teachers in schools and universities – with some 9,000 members it is the largest union in Swaziland....
. They plan to stage a two-day full stoppage of public life every month until the incumbent absolute monarch Mswati III
Mswati III of Swaziland
Mswati III is the King of Swaziland and head of the Swazi Royal Family. In 1986, he succeeded his father Sobhuza II as ruler of the southern African kingdom...
gives in to their demands: multi-party elections in October 2008
Swazi parliamentary election, 2008
A parliamentary election was held in Swaziland for the House of Assembly on 19 September 2008. It was the first election under the new constitution introduced in 2006, and the first time that foreign observers were allowed to monitor an election in the country...
, that benefits cease to be taxed and an end to absolute monarchy
Absolute monarchy
Absolute monarchy is a monarchical form of government in which the monarch exercises ultimate governing authority as head of state and head of government, his or her power not being limited by a constitution or by the law. An absolute monarch thus wields unrestricted political power over the...
.
The first two-day stoppage occurred on 25 July in Manzini and on 26 July in Mbabane
Mbabane
-References:...
, when tens of thousands of workers demonstrated on the streets. The demonstrations constituted Swaziland's biggest civil movement for over a decade, since the last large-scale protests in 1996.
Government spokespersons denied the unions' and strikers' claims, stating that they should not demonstrate, but rather lobby the parliament, as only parliament has the power to change the constitution to allow multi-party elections.
On 2 August 2007, union representatives threatened further strikes if the government was not willing to listen, and also raised labour issues in addition to their political demands.