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MBABANE – TLC workers went on strike yesterday over unpaid wages.
In view of the ongoing financial challenges faced by The Luke Committee (TLC), the employees decided to stop working after the management informed them that they would not be paid their June salaries due to insufficient funds. It is noteworthy that the employees staged a peaceful and calm protest, mainly sitting at the entrance of TLC. After they learned there was no money to pay salaries and some of the top institution’s unfunded operating expenses, they chose to give up their jobs until the problem was resolved, people familiar with the matter said.
However, it was revealed that some fully funded operations, such as the recently launched drug delivery drone program, are already fully operational; however, these staff members belong to TLC’s non-fully funded operations. They expressed hope that the government would step in and rescue the agency, which has been a lifeline for thousands of patients over the years amid the country’s drug shortage crisis. Currently, Parliament and Cabinet are working to find a solution in cooperation with TLC and to release a €30 million grant allocated by the government to provide financial assistance for the facility.
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Because of the financial challenges facing the agency, management told them it was becoming increasingly difficult to raise funds for operations and pay salaries, one of the people said. The source said they managed to get their salaries last month but were informed by the management that things were not going well. “This month, the management informed us that they could not pay our salaries and hence decided to stop work,” the source said. The source added that they hope the government will come to the rescue of TLC as it is clear that the country needs their services.
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The source also said that the employees did not report for work yesterday morning and sat at the entrance of TLC waiting for the management to come to them.
Speaking to Swaziland News yesterday, a source revealed that they were waiting for management to approach them again after they had called a staff meeting yesterday afternoon where they were expected to discuss the way forward. In a statement issued yesterday, TLC Communications Director Lindani Sifundza said management had been in consultation with staff. He said while TLC staff wanted to continue serving emaSwati, they had to acknowledge the reality of the situation as they had no funds to pay salaries.
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