By Nokwanda Mamba

MATSAPHA: Sakhile ‘Awuviva’ Nxumalo, the President of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO) Youth League says  as an organization,they managed to engage peacefully with Far-East Directors on Thursday to resolve challenges affecting workers.

The President of the Swaziland Youth Congress(SWAYOCO) intervened after this Swaziland News published a story where some employees were complaining about their unpaid gratuity and outstanding salaries.

“I sent a SWAYOCO delegation to meet with the Directors on Thursday afternoon and we wish to respond as follows: Firstly, it was resolved that all the workers who are being owed their monies must come back on Monday with their bank details to sign so that they be forwarded their monies on Monday. Secondly,on the issue of unfair treatment of workers within the firm, we resolved that those who are working until late will get free transport. The delegation also raised the issue of the workers who are unionized, we gathered that ATUSWA arrived there trying to make sure that the workers were registered as members of the union. But the Director is alleged to have threatened the workers and the they were then reluctant to join the union.We told the Director to stop threatening workers against joining a union and the Director agreed to allow ATUSWA to come and register the workers. Now, we also hand over the issue to ATUSWA as a trade union to handle the issue urgently and swiftly,” said the SWAYOCO President.

Nxumalo said the delegation was led by SWAYOCO Manzini District Chairperson Notsentselelo Ntsetse Nkambule.

It has been disclosed that the company produced a company policy substantiating why the payments were delayed.

Reached for comments,Veli Ginindza,the lawyer who was part of the meeting after being engaged by Tokky Hou,the Far-East Managing Director(MD) confirmed that the meeting was a success.

“It’s true, the employees would be paid on Monday as per company,” he said.