MBABANE – Minister of Labour and Social Security Phila Buthelezi has today launched ‘The Next Normal: The Changing Workplace in Eswatini’ report.
The report highlights the findings of a study which analysed how COVID-19 affected businesses and the Eswatini workforce as well as their coping mechanisms while identifying the gaps they experienced, according to an official statement from Government.
The study was conducted by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in collaboration with Business Eswatini and the report is a component of an Africa-wide study which was based on a survey of over 1 000 non-randomly selected formal enterprises who collectively employ nearly 750 000 workers across a wide range of economic sectors in 15 African countries.
Speaking during the meeting, Minister Buthelezi remarked that, “It is not an exaggeration that COVID-19 destroyed many jobs as much as it did business establishments. Crucially, however, the pandemic took away productive souls from our midst. One is therefore encouraged that as we begin to pick up the pieces as a country we will do so with a trusted partner such as the ILO on our side.”
Minister Buthelezi added that, “The study informed how labour relations and business processes could be managed at a time when confusion and shock were the order of the day. Not only did the assessment inform and empower business; it also helped the Ministry to tailor some of its services appropriately and equip other organs of state which are working very closely with businesses.”
Minister Buthelezi also revealed that as a result, the Ministry was able to play a significant role in moderating the issues of lay-offs and retrenchments which had a lot of grey and contentious areas.”
Echoing the Minister’s words, ILO Director Dr Joni Musabayana highlited that, “Clearly, this study has raised several extremely pertinent issues related to Eswatini’s labour market and more broadly, the priorities outlined in the Abidjan Declaration. The disruptive effects of the COVID-19 pandemic will leave a legacy in respect of how, where and when we work.”
Business Eswatini CEO E. Nathi Dlamini also expressed that, “We have to create the jobs needed by emaSwati so that we may not fail our future generations. We would also love to extend our appreciation to the International Labour Organisation for their support towards improving the Private Sector and we are looking forward to having a continuous fruitful relationship as this is a tripartite affair.”
The report can be accessed through this link.
