"Job loses as Drake Clothing Eswatini Matsapha textile closes amid scarcity of orders, workers given two(2) weeks notice.", 5 April 2024

Workers here at the Drake Clothing Eswatini situated in the Matsapha Industrial site have received a memo from the Management, notifying them about a decision to close the textile company this month amid scarcity of orders.

“Be kindly informed that due to poor performance of the factory for the past eleven months and for its customer’s decision to cancel current and future orders with Drake Clothing Eswatini, we regret to announce that the Directors of the Drake Clothing Eswatini are constrained to close the factory. Employees and all affected stakeholders of Drake Clothing Eswatini are notified that the last day of the operation and the cease of their contract will be on Wednesday the 17th of April 2024 and will be preceded by a two-week notice starting after receipt of this memo(03-04-2024) and the last pay day for all employees will be on the closing date”, reads the memo in part.

Efforts to reach the Management proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.

...Wander Mkhonza,the Secretary General(SG) of the Amalgamated Trade Union of Swaziland(ATUSWA) said, they have approached the court, seeking to stop the company moving property from the premises, pending the payment of terminal benefits due to the employees.

“We have taken the company to court and we got court order interdicting the company from moving out property at their premises pending consultations and payment of workers their dues because the company directors wanted to do what is called fly by night and we appreciate the workers who were alert enough on the matter”, said the ATUSWA Secretary General.