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COSATU supports the 18th March mass action by Swazi workers

D 29 mars 2011     H 05:26     A COSATU     C 0 messages


COSATU has thrown its weight behind the legitimate demands of Swazi workers and the broad democratic fraternity of Swaziland at this critical hour in their protracted struggle for democracy and social justice.

The federation notes the intensified state of terror enforced by the royal regime and its security forces through ; violent disruption of peaceful meetings, frequent harassment and arrests of leaders and activists, increased surveillance and spying on the personal and political activities of activists and intensified royal propaganda through the state controlled media.

In this regard, we fully support the action planned for the 18th March which is backed by the following demands ; a fair and decent living wage, payment of orphans and vulnerable children’s fees in schools (OVCs) by the state, availability of drugs and treatment in hospitals, an immediate end to evictions, Jobs for all, land for the landless majority and multi-party democracy NOW.

Following consultations with sister federations of Swaziland ; SFTU and SFL recently, COSATU is in a better position to plan effective support to their cause, particularly as regards their on-coming activities that shall be announced soonest. We confirm the view that it is people who make revolution, hence the need to avoid the tendency towards the extremes of digitalisation without organising on the ground. We know that from our own experience, organising and hard work are the ultimate determinants of a successful revolution. Therefore, a careful balance between the role of information technology and people on the ground is very important and at no stage should we substitute the central role of the people for anything else.

COSATU further commits itself to a solidarity programme based on the plan that shall be announced by the trade union movement for April and towards the historic May Day merger and formation of a new giant trade union federation in the country, whose significance shall change the Swazi social and political landscape dramatically. In this regard, our Mpumalanga Province is already involved in organising elements of that programme.

We further call on the South African government to speak out explicitly about the crisis facing our neighbouring state of Swaziland and the need for decisive action on the part of SADC to avert a deterioration that might be irreversible.