By Zweli Martin Dlamini
Africa-Press – Eswatini. In this country, poverty is manufactured by the ruling Tinkhundla undemocratic regime and, the ‘factory’ is situated at Lozitha Palace with its Headquarters based at Ludzidzini in Lobamba.
King Mswati is busy touring companies and appreciating infrastructure while the workers who contribute to the infrastructure and by extension, the economic development of this country languish in squalor.
Infrastructure development remains fundamental in attracting Foreign Direct Investments(FDIs), contributes to the ease of doing business and, further enhance economic growth and development.
But what is the significance of having an infra-structured economy in a country where the welfare of the people is completely disregarded?.
King Mswati’s Minister of Labour and Social Security Phila Buthelezi recently released Government Gazettes allowing companies to underpay workers and when asked, the justification is always “an onus placed upon employers’ discretion to pay more than the stipulated minimum wage”.
But in a world where capitalism rules, how do you expect or place the payment of decent wages at the discretion of employers?.
The truth is; employers are interested in generating profits and, that’s the basic purpose of venturing into business.
It is therefore, absurd for Mswati’s Government to disregard the legal obligation of enacting laws fairly regulating the payment of decent wages and then, place such at the discretion of capitalists.
Eswatini has about 70% of the population living below the poverty line but, King Mswati is busy touring companies and in his speeches, we are not hearing a decisive command, directing Government to prepare Gazettes forcing companies to pay decent salaries.
Poverty in this country is manufactured by the Tinkhundla undemocratic regime and I am asking myself what did emaSwati do to deserve such cruel treatment from this oppressive Government?.
EmaSwati in the textile, construction, private security, hospital, manufacturing and other industries work hard only to be paid ‘peanuts’ just to sustain the breath in their bodies.
In light of the aforementioned, it is important to remind the King and his Government that, the “purpose of securing a job is to “improve your life and if the salary is too low”, the whole purpose of working is defeated or grossly undermined”.
It is the duty of the Government to prepare and enact laws directing companies to pay workers decent salaries, instead of giving capitalists a ‘blank cheque’ placing the responsibility upon them, capitalists are interested in generating profits.
For More News And Analysis About Eswatini Follow Africa-Press
