By Bongiwe Dlamini

MBABANE: The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has issued a public statement, warning about the deteriorating state of workers’ rights in eSwatini and other countries including but not limited to,the grave threats to democratic foundations. 

This comes amid the persecution of unionist Sticks Nkambule, the Secretary General(SG) of the Swaziland Transport, Communication and Allied Workers Union(SWATCAWU).

“In particular, the union has pointed to the situation in Eswatini, where the government's oppressive measures against workers and democratic freedoms have reached a new low.

The renewed focus on Eswatini comes after this year’s 2023 International Trades Union Confederation (ITUC) Global Rights Index shows the continuing deterioration of democratic rights and freedoms in the country. The report shows that this deterioration is part of a global trend, revealing that worker rights have been violated in a staggering 87% of countries within the past year.

Tragically, in Eswatini and seven other countries, trade unionists have paid the ultimate price for standing up for their rights. The ITF strongly condemns these regimes for either instigating or tacitly allowing such brutality, calling for an immediate end to these practices,” reads the statement released on Wednesday by the International Transport Workers' Federation.

Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo has not responded at the time of compiling this report.

Eswatini is ruled by King Mswati as an absolute Monarch, political parties are banned from participating in elections and human rights defenders are arrested or killed for demanding democracy.