LABOUR

Legal Framework

Swaziland is governed by an independent judiciary system that ensures protection of property and individual rights. All business enterprises are legally incorporated under the Companies Act of 1912, with rights of a legal persona, with powers to sue and be sued.

Labour Availability

The kingdom has largely, a young population, 60% of which is below the age of 21 years. The country's educational system produces over 10,000 high school, college and university graduates annually. This ensures an abundant supply of a literate, English speaking labour force, which can be easily tapped by industry.

A technically skilled labour pool is obtained from post high school vocational institutions and Technikons. The University of Swaziland at Matsapha and Malkerns supply diploma and first degree students in science, economics, commerce and accounting disciplines as well as humanities. Short-term in-service training in management, supervisory and computer skills is provided by the many accredited management training institutions in the country.All companies operating in Swaziland are governed by, amongst others;

Industrial Relations Act of 2000

This Act provides the general legal framework of operations of companies, employer to employee relations, employer – union-employee relations, dispute resolution mechanism and other statutory requirements.

Wages Act of 1964

This Act and its regulations specifies the basic minimum wage applicable per sector, conditions of service highlighting hours of work, overtime, public holidays, annual leave etc for each business sector.

Workmen's Compensation Act of 1983

This Act specifies the requirement of manufacturing companies to acquire workmen's insurance cover for all employees, in case of injury sustained at work.

Swaziland National Provident Fund

This Act directs all employees to deduct E30 from each employee, contribute an additional E30 per employee and remit E60 per employee to the provident fund