GOVERNMENT PRESS STATEMENT

NO: 26/2019

Civil Servants Strike Action

Following calls by Public Sector Associations to their members to continue with the strike and protest action that started on 23 September 2019, and more recently to participate in protest action in Manzini on 2nd October 2019, we wish to state the following;

  1. Government services including schools, hospitals and clinics will remain open as usual.
  2. Tomorrow is a normal working day and all civil servants are expected to be at work. This is a critical time for students who are either preparing or writing examinations.
  3. Civil servants and teachers have the right to work without fear of intimidation or victimization. Police protection will continue to be provided. Any person suffering injury, intimidation or damage to property is encouraged to report this to the appropriate authorities.
  4. We sympathize with parents of injured pupils following their unnecessary attack by protesting workers. Government will provide counseling services to the affected schools through career guidance offices and social workers from the Deputy Prime Ministers Office.
  5. Civil servants who take part in strike action are advised that the principle of no-work-no-pay shall apply.
  6. Government continues to invite Public Sector Associations to use the negotiations route to table their demands other than resort to other means.
  7. Government reaffirms her commitment to exploring all available opportunities to collectively uplift the economy and further engage social partners to find solutions towards addressing the current fiscal challenges which will then allow for a reasonable salary adjustment as the situation improves.

Christian Ntshangase

Minister of Public Service

01 October 2019

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