Workers in Swaziland have complained that Chinese owned textile companies, in particular Brand Knitting and First Garments, have continued to violate fundamental trade union rights including the refusal to recognise unions; surveillance of activists both in and outside work by hired security staff; victimisation of activists and representatives and known union members; a ban on workers gathering in groups during breaks, and physical assaults by security guards..
The authorities appear to be colluding with the Chinese factory owners. On several occasions, police have beaten up workers at shop floor level when they approached the employer with their demands, or have fired tear gas and rubber bullets at workers. Police officers at the Zheng Yong factory received bribes or rewards for brutalising workers. On one occasion, the Swaziland Investment Promotion Authority (SIPA) visited Zheng Yong and told middle management not to allow strikes because they discouraged current and future investors. In another incident, a worker died after brutal intervention by the police in a dispute at the factory where she worked.
