Govt collaborates with textile industry union, employers
The purpose of the trip was for the local representatives to liaise and share experiences with their counterparts, finding out how that country's textile industry operates as well as how it deals with the global and regional challenges currently facing the sector.
Introducing the delegation - which comprised union executives, shop stewards, employers and a labour official - SIPA Director (Investor Facilitation and Aftercare) Sabelo Mabuza told the hosts, the Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC), that government was trying to mend relations between the local employers and employees in the industry so as to achieve industrial peace and stability.
He said this follows domestic, regional and global problems recently faced by the garment industry, adding that the visit to Lesotho was so that the locals could learn and share experiences with their counterparts as the two countries' industries had similar working habits and structures.
"Your country has had very little industrial unrest and strife, that's why we are here to learn how you've been able to maintain a harmonious industrial relationship. The degree of problems we have had, has been a culmination of years of negotiations and at some point, the bubble had to burst," he said, referring to the recent strike that was marred by violence, sending shockwaves throughout the country and international community.
Mabuza said government was worried about the survival and sustenance of the industry, especially in light of the removal of quotas and trade embargoes, thus emphasising the need to share with Lesotho its experiences with regards to the resolution of industrial conflicts and disputes.
"We recently had a strike and some workers were even beaten up. We, therefore, would like to find out how you handle or resolve such issues in your country as well as your law enforcement procedures in this regard," he added.
He pointed out that the country had recorded a 28% decrease in export returns in the last quarter, which he said was very worrying indeed. He added that as such, SIPA has embarked on a number of interventions to try and forge good relations with the union as well as employers and also, to create an understanding of the need to improve the industry, especially now that a collective agreement was about to be signed by the parties involved.
"We felt it would be prudent for all sectors of the industry to be here as they're all involved in the negotiations, while the labour department plays an important role in making sure that the country's laws are followed," Mabuza said.
Master Garments General Manager Brazil Mfumo said employers were also on a learning process and indeed, it was important for them to forge a harmonious relationship with the workers' union.
"The workers' concerns are also our concerns as these could turn into sources of dispute, thus we would like to see further development of the textile industry and be able to sustain it as we don't have a substitute industry," he said.
The Swazi delegation comprised Mabuza, SMAWU President Alex Fakudze, Secretary General Sipho Manana, Assistant Secretary General Subject Ginindza (also shop steward at Tex-Ray), National Coordinator Shadrack Masuku as well as Senior Labour Inspector Sipho Maseko and STEA representatives Brazil Mfumo (Master Garments GM) and Leo Garments Human Resources Manager Charmaine Zeeman.
Others were shop stewards Jabu Shongwe (Master Garments), Lungile Dlamini (Zheng Yhong), Mdumezweni Ginindza (Fashion International) and Ephream Zwane (FTM).
