MBABANE:World Vision Eswatini allegedly violated labour laws by terminating the employment of workers without paying February 2025 outstanding salaries.
This comes after United States(US) President Donald Trump stopped funding to eSwatini Non Governmental Organizations(NGOs) and other civil society groups in various countries amid the implementation of his “America first” policies.
Workers who contacted this publication complained that, their employment contracts were not only terminated by World Vision without notice but, outstanding salaries were not paid.
When this Swaziland News contacted World Vision National Director Tinah Mukunda, her Personal Assistant referred comments to Lungile Zwane, the Communications Officer.
“Please contact the Communications for a comment, the Director is in a meeting”, said the World Vision Director’s Personal Assistant.
A questionnaire was then sent to Lungile Zwane, the World Vision Communications Officer, however, she had not responded at the time of compiling this report.
Reached for comments by this publication on Thursday, Wander Mkhonza, the Secretary General of the Amalgamated Trade Union of Swaziland(ATUSWA) said, despite the halting of funding by US President Donald Trump, “World Vision is legally obligated to pay the workers their February 2025 salaries”’including terminal benefits.
“It’s not only the February 2025 that World Vision must pay but, terminal benefits for the workers must be included in terms of labour laws. World Vision is owning properties in the country and those properties must be sold and, the money be used to pay the workers because, the termination of the funding agreement with the US does not mean World Vision as an employer, must not pay the workers,” said the ATUSWA Secretary General.
Mkhonza described the situation faced by the workers within the civil society as very unfortunate but expressed hope that, the United States will re-consider the decision terminating the donor funding.
World Vision National Director Tinah Mukunda(pic:supplied).