President Obama withdrew the country’s eligibility for the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) last Thursday. Michael Froman, the US trade representative, explained that the decision was taken in light of Swaziland’s continuing labour rights abuses. AGOA status enables countries in sub-Saharan Africa to get duty-free access to the US market on thousands of products, making it cheaper to enter the USD 3 trillion import market.
The ITF has long campaigned for improved workers’ rights in Swaziland, most recently campaigning for the release of imprisoned union lawyer Basil Thwala. During a March 2014 visit to the country, ITF assistant general secretary Stuart Howard led a high-level mission to the country, which met with government representatives and US embassy officials. Howard said: “In March, we personally warned the government that its denial of union rights was likely to lead to its losing AGOA. They refused to listen. Now they're paying the consequences.”
While Thwala was released just days before the US Department of Trade was scheduled to review the AGOA agreement, unions including the ITF-affiliated Swaziland Transport & Allied Workers’ Union (STAWU) continue to face government harassment.
US axes Swazi trade deal over rights abuses
news
ON THE GROUND
news
Women transport leaders in Francophone Africa unite for change
Women union leaders from across Francophone Africa came together in Lomé last month for a powerful three-day leadership seminar organised by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF). The
news
Peter McEwen
It is with deep sadness that the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) marks the passing of Peter McEwen (MBE MNM) a tireless advocate for seafarers around the world. Throughout his career
news
ILO Technical Meeting on Decent Work in the Railways Sector: First since 1994
The International Labour Organization (ILO) convened its first railway sector meeting since 1994, the Technical Meeting on Decent Work in the Railways Sector, from 1–5 September 2025, marking a