Eswatini signs pledge to improve labour market

By Phephile Motau

The country is looking to the future to better improve the general labour market.

This was announced during the launch of the Eswatini Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) 2022-2025. It outlines the programme that Government, employers, and employees plan to implement to improve the general labour environment.

The document was officially launched on Thursday by Prime Minister Cleopas Sipho Dlamini at Mountain View. Also represented during the launch were Social Partners Business Eswatini, Federation of Eswatini Business Community (FESBC), Trade Union Congress of Eswatini (TUCOSWA) and Federation of Eswatini Trade Unions (FESWATU) and representatives of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

It is aimed at, among other things, improving the standard of living in
the country, promoting decent employment and income opportunities as
well as enhancing the development of social security, social dialogue
and fundamental principles and rights at work.

The Prime Minister said as a member of ILO, the Kingdom of Eswatini was an advocate of universal and lasting peace and social justice, which both fall under the pillars of the United Nations.

“Today’s event seeks to endorse the country’s commitment towards promoting these pillars, and showcasing some of the initiatives that have been implemented by government in an effort to ensure the implementation of international labour standards and improve social justice,” Dlamini said.

Since joining ILO in 1975, the Kingdom of Eswatini has ratified 33 ILO Conventions, including eight out of the 10 Core Conventions and two out of the four ILO governance (or priority) Conventions, the rest being technical Conventions.

Dlamini said to implement the ratified international labour standards in law and practice, the Kingdom of Eswatini has passed into law various pieces of labour legislative instruments.

“A majority of these pieces of legislation are undergoing legislative reforms in an effort to update and align them to the international labour standards that have been adopted by the ILO over the years & to give effect to the recommendations of the ILO supervisory bodies,” he said.

Dlamini said the government has also reviewed various other legislative instruments which are not labour related, ‘to comply with recommendations of the ILO’s supervisory bodies which requested the country to align these legislations with ratified international labour
standards.’

ILO Director Decent Work Country Office Dr Joni Musabayana said the signing of the Programme signified Eswatini’s commitment to ensure a labour market that is at peace and harmony with itself.