MBABANE:Chief Ndlaluhlaza Ndwandwe,the Minister of Public Works and Transport failed to respond when asked to clarify why employees of the Ministry based in Manzini are without electricity units for almost a year now.
The employees told this Swaziland News that,they have been neglected by Government and forced to use firewood and pots to prepare warm water.
“We are requesting that, Government must at least introduce our own electricity meters so we can buy electricity from our pockets ”, said one of the employees.
Efforts to reach Bawinile Ndlovu, the President of the National Public Service and Allied Workers Union(NAPSAWU) proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.
Reached for comments on Wednesday evening, Sibongile Mazibuko, the President of the Ngwane National Liberatory Congress(NNLC) urged the employees to approach their union and take Government to court.
“The service of free electricity is a right benefit which the employer has an obligation to continue to provide to the employees as it forms part of their employment package, Government cannot therefore withdraw it willy nilly without it being negotiated with the relevant union NAPSAWU because it came to be through the same process.My take is that instead of them paying for themselves NAPSAWU must take legal action against Government and force her to continue providing the service or replace it with an allowance”, said the NNLC President.
Public Works Ministry Manzini employees appeal for electricity units from Government,says they are forced to use firewood and pots for warm bathing water.