By Musa Mdluli

MBABANE:Mlungisi Makhanya,the President of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO)has released a statement,on behalf of the political organization, congratulating Standard Bank Eswatini employees for their 5.6% Cost of Living Adjustment(COLA) victory.

This comes after the workers, through their Swaziland Union of Financial Institutions and Allied Workers(SUFIAWU) signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Standard Bank for a 5.6% COLA, including other benefits, the agreement was signed on Wednesday and the workers are expected back to work on Thursday.

“The People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) salutes Standard Bank Eswatini workers, affiliated with Swaziland Union of Financial Institutions and Allied Workers (SUFIAW), for unflinchingly fighting for improved working conditions including better remuneration. Despite reaping immense profits over the years, Standard Bank Swaziland has on two consecutive years forced its dedicated workers to embark on strike to solicit a fairer share of the super profit the company is making”, reads the statement in part sent to this Swaziland News on Wednesday evening.

The PUDEMO President pledged continued support for the workers’ struggles.

“We are here to affirm and fortify our resolve in that ceaseless and unwearying commitment, to always support noble struggles of the workers against all forms of exploitation. Our solid, stubborn strength has once-again stood the awful test-our leaders were detained and harassed by overzealous police while supporting the striking workers, yet they faithfully showed up the next day.As a 41-year-old movement that was intimately involved in the intense 1994 massive and nationwide national strikes, PUDEMO knows the sacrifices made by workers of our country in the limited victories we have recorded. Thirty years ago, together with leaders of the labour movement, starting with the 21st and 22nd February SFTU stayaway, the 24 days June strike at Mhlume Sugar Company, the numerous strikes in the banking sector over wages and working conditions, and the June to early July week-long national strike of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT)”, he said.

PUDEMO, the eSwatini’s main,leading and largest political party has been supporting the workers since the strike action started.

Sakhile Awviva Nxumalo,the PUDEMO Youth League President was abducted by the police for participating in the strike action while other PUDEMO leaders that include Deputy President Wandile Dludlu and Nontsetselelo ‘Ntsentse’ Nkambule,were also harassed by the police for participating in the strike action in solidarity with the workers.