Ngwenya – The Polypack Swaziland management and the Amalgamated trade Union of Swaziland (ATUSWA) are locked in negotiations to implement the new gazette, after the company allegedly informed the workers that it would partially implement the gazetted pay scales.
Sources said Polypack management informed shop stewards and told them that the company intends on drawing up a working plan that would suite both the employer and the employees. The sources said Polypack told them that the gazette at its current form favours the employees better.
This comes after the Ministry of Labour and Social Security has officially released new wage orders for the Building, Hotel, and Manufacturing sectors, the changes took effect from April 25, 2025. The revised pay structure sets basic minimum wage rates across a broad range of job roles, affecting thousands of workers across the country.
Among the changes that have been allegedly rejected by the management of the company covered by the gazette are the working hours.
The gazette recommends that the normal working week hours for employees other that security guards and casual labourers shall consist of not more than 45 hours. Previously the normal working hours per week were 48 hours, which the company is allegedly reluctant to adjust to the stipulated 45 hours.
As stipulated by the gazette, an employee who is engaged other than on shift work shall be paid for time worked in excess of the normal working hours on a weekday, payment shall be at one and half times the basic hourly wage. However the management of Polypack is paying the employees a normal rate even when engaged to work in excess of their normal working hours.
According to sources, officials from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security have been engaged on the matter and have visited the company to engage the management on the matter.
However the employees are not happy with the outcome. They are said to have on several engagements not attained positive changes and results that they can show.
The ATUSWA Secretary General Wander Mkhonza confirmed that the union is currently engaged on a round table negotiations with the management of Polypack Swaziland.
However Mkhonza said it was still premature to discuss the matter with the media as the negotiations are still ongoing.
He said after the talks have been concluded the union will engage the workers and inform them of the outcomes of the meeting with the meeting and if the company still refuse to implement the changes then the workers will advise of a way forward.
Ministry of Labour and Social Security Communications Officer Nompilo Mcina, when reached for a comment said they ask to follow up this matter.
“The acting labour commissioner has requested to gather more facts on this matter and will respond when he has,” Mncina said.
Efforts to reach Polypack Swaziland management hit a snag. By the time of going to press, they had not responded to the questionnaire that were sent to the company.
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