By Bongiwe Dlamini

MBABANE:Frank Mncina,the Secretary General of the Swaziland Amalgamated Trade Union(SATU)says, some security companies are struggling to pay their employees monthly salaries as a result of Government failure to pay suppliers on time.

Speaking to this Swaziland News on Friday when interviewed by editor Zweli Martin Dlamini, the Secretary General said,failure by Government to pay security companies for their services automatically “creates financial struggles”for these companies and as a result, they ended-up unable to fulfill their contractual obligations to pay salaries.

“It’s important to understand that,for security companies to pay salaries, they must receive their payments from Government for services rendered. But you find some companies owed by Government for over two(2) years and then the question is;how do you expect those companies to pay salaries on time?.The problem starts from the Government before affecting the security companies including security guards”, he said.

On another note,the SATU Secretary General said,security guards are made to protect assets worth billions but receive ‘peanuts’ as salaries at the end of the month.

Mancina blamed Government for failing to come-up with policies that seek to address the welfare of workers including economic development.

“The truth is; almost everyone is broke in this country and again,the problem should be attributed to the Government.The problem with this is that,in a country where everyone is broke, people resort to engage in dirty dealings and other criminal activities.Then if the crime rate is high and the security guards who are expected to protect the assets are also broke, what will happen?”,said the trade unionist.

The Secretary General consistently maintained that as a union, they don’t encourage security guards to engage in criminal activities but emphasize that hunger “remains the cause”.

Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo declined to comment.

The sentiments of the trade unionist come after Johannes Manikela, the Chairman of the Hhohho Federation of Eswatini Business Community(FESBC) blamed Government for failing to pay suppliers.