BIGBEND:Crooks Plantation workers representatives, were allegedly told by the Management not to share their plight with Swaziland News editor Zweli Martin Dlamini so that,their grievances could be addressed.
This was confirmed by Sanele Sihlongonyane, the Branch Chairperson of the Swaziland Agricultural Workers Union(SAPWU),he confirmed that,employees of the Crooks Plantation voted to go on strike and the protest is ongoing this week at BigBend.
“They told us that we must avoid communicating with Zwemart and not tell him that we are protesting so that, our issues could be addressed”, said the Branch Chairperson when speaking to this publication.
Efforts to seek a comment from the Management proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.
On another note, the strike by the workers comes after they voted to down their tools,they are demanding amongst others,education and severance allowance, retirement gratuity and funeral assistance.The employees are also demanding 12.5% salary increment and provision of transport to and from Nkilongo,description of jobs and transport to health facilities.
“Don’t tell Zwemart that you are protesting so that we can award you salary increment”, Crooks Plantation workers told.