Africa-Press – Eswatini. At the Joint Negotiating Forum this afternoon, all eyes were on SNAT Secretary General Lot Vilakati as he proudly held up the 444-page Pre-Final Draft Report of the Salary Review Exercise.
The moment carried weight far beyond the thick document, it symbolized years of waiting, pressing, and believing that Eswatini’s teachers deserve fair recognition.
A Journey Since 2021
For SNAT, the Salary Review is not just an exercise in numbers. It is the culmination of a struggle that began in 2021, when teachers raised concerns about pay that no longer matched the rising cost of living.
Vilakati and his team have remained steadfast, sitting at the table year after year, demanding that the value of teachers’ work be reflected in their salaries. This week, their persistence was rewarded with the Pre-Final Draft, a step closer to justice for educators.
What the Draft Means for Teachers
The Pre-Final Draft brings hope of tangible improvements:
• Fair Pay for Leaders: Headteachers and deputy headteachers will be remunerated for the full value of their work across both primary and secondary schools.
• Support for Rural Teachers:
A 5% hardship allowance will reward those serving in difficult-to-reach schools.
• Special Schools Allowance: Teachers working with learners with disabilities will now be recognized.
• Backdated Adjustments:
Salary improvements will be effective from April 2025, benefiting even those who retired after that date.
• For many teachers, this represents more than money — it is recognition of their sacrifices in shaping the nation’s future.
SNAT’s Next Steps
SNAT, along with sister unions SWADNU, SNAGAP, and NAPSAWU, will submit its findings on the draft by Friday, September 12, 2025. The Government Negotiations Team will then table the report to cabinet next Tuesday, with a final collective agreement expected before the end of September.
The E500 million committed by the Minister of Finance will be the starting point, with Parliament set to approve additional funds through a supplementary budget.
A Moment of Pride
As Vilakati flipped through the bulky document for the cameras, teachers saw a leader who has carried their voice faithfully. For many in the profession, the gesture was more than symbolic, it was proof that their concerns have been heard at the highest levels.
“This is a step closer to restoring dignity to teaching,” a SNAT member reflected. “We now wait for Cabinet and Parliament to seal what we have fought for.”
This is a story of patience, persistence, and progress, with SNAT at the center of ensuring teachers in Eswatini receive the recognition they deserve.
BACKDATED SALARY HIKE PROMISED: CIVIL SERVANTS TO CASH IN FROM APRIL 2025
BY TANDZILE DLAMINI
MBABANE – Civil servants in Eswatini can look forward to a long-awaited salary adjustment that will be backdated to April 2025, including those who retired after that date, following the latest developments in the ongoing Salary Review exercise.
The Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) and other unions – Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU), Swaziland National Association of Government Accounting Personnel (SNAGAP), and the National Public Service and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU) – have been closely engaging with the Government Negotiating Team on the review, which began in 2021 to ensure that public sector salaries align with the current cost of living.
Yesterday, September 9 , government presented unions with a detailed report outlining the proposed salary adjustments for each category of public servant. While the numbers are yet to be finalised, unions say the draft offers hope for employees, with retroactive pay being a major highlight.
“The new salary adjustments will run back from April 2025. This means that employees who retired after April will receive the increase, while all active civil servants will benefit immediately,” said SNAT’s Lot Vilakati. “It’s a moment of relief and recognition for the hard work of our members.”
The Finance Ministry had earlier announced a commitment of E500 million to fund the adjustment. However, both government and union officials acknowledge that the amount may be insufficient, with discussions ongoing on a supplementary budget once Cabinet reviews the final report.
In addition to basic salary adjustments, the review proposes an increase in travel allowances, now calculated at 76 cents per kilometre, and the introduction of a hardship allowance of five percent of basic salary to support employees stationed in rural areas. Special schools teaching students with disabilities will also receive dedicated allowances. Pensioners, meanwhile, are assured that they will receive cost of living adjustments from the Public Service Pensions Fund (PSPF).
The unions are expected to submit their findings on Friday, with the Government Negotiating Team presenting the agreed report to Cabinet on Tuesday. Once Cabinet gives its mandate, the final collective agreement will be signed, marking the culmination of a long and sometimes contentious negotiation process.
Education sector workers, including headteachers and deputy headteachers, are expected to see adjustments that reflect their workload and responsibilities, setting a benchmark for other civil service categories.
For many, the salary review is more than just numbers on a pay slip – it is a recognition of dedication, a promise of fair compensation, and a boost to morale in a challenging economic climate.“Our members have waited a long time for this. The adjustments will finally reflect the value of their work and help them meet the rising cost of living,” Vilakati added.
With the final steps of the review process imminent, civil servants across the country are watching closely, hopeful that the backdated pay and new allowances will soon become a reality.
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