BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
EZULWINI- A high-level engagement between Business Eswatini and the International Labour Organization (ILO) has set the stage for renewed efforts to rebuild Eswatini’s strained social dialogue systems and strengthen the voice of employers in national processes.
This follows the inaugural visit of ILO Senior Employer Specialist for Southern Africa, Luis Gonzalez, who met with the Business Eswatini leadership at the organisation’s headquarters, on April 28,2026.
The engagement, described as a critical intervention rather than a ceremonial courtesy, comes at a time when the country’s labour environment faces mounting pressure, including enterprise sustainability challenges, high unemployment and ongoing policy reforms.
Business Eswatini Chief Executive Officer E. Nathi Dlamini said the visit marked a long-awaited opportunity to reposition employer participation within national dialogue structures.
“We have long awaited this moment,” he said, emphasising the need for stronger coordination among employers and more effective engagement platforms.
Central to the discussions was the urgent need to restore functionality and credibility in key tripartite institutions such as the Labour Advisory Board (LAB) and Wages Councils, which have recently faced governance and representation challenges.
Business Eswatini reaffirmed its mandate as the apex employer body, tasked with consolidating positions across three federations to ensure a unified voice when engaging government and labour.
The organisation stressed that fragmented representation had weakened employer influence and called for structured coordination frameworks aligned with international best practice.
Gonzalez acknowledged the challenges and reaffirmed the ILO’s commitment to supporting employer organisations through technical assistance, capacity building and facilitation of inclusive dialogue mechanisms.
He noted that strengthening institutional capacity and promoting cohesive engagement were essential to achieving sustainable labour market outcomes.
The meeting concluded with both parties committing to a structured programme of collaboration aimed at enhancing employer coordination, revitalising social dialogue institutions and supporting enterprise resilience.
The engagement signals a renewed push to stabilise industrial relations and advance an inclusive labour market framework in Eswatini.
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(Courtesy Pic)
