By Phesheya Ian Kunene
MANZINI – CMAC has officially inducted Members of Parliament to strengthen legislative oversight and promote a deeper understanding of the commission’s mandate in labour dispute resolution.
The induction, held on Thursday at The George Hotel in Manzini, brought together members of the Houses of Senate and Assembly who also toured CMAC’s Manzini Regional Office before engaging in detailed briefings.
The session focused on CMAC’s strategic plan, operational challenges, and collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
CMAC Board Chairperson Mzwandile Dlamini, in his opening remarks, said social justice remains inaccessible for many workers in the country.
“It is not right that some people are still not getting justice, with some cases dragging for four years without resolution,” he said.
Dlamini also lamented the slow pace of dispute resolution, gaps in legislation, and the display of arrogance by some clients during proceedings.
He emphasised the importance of working with Parliament to strengthen labour justice systems.
Labour and Social Security Minister Phila Buthelezi appealed to parliamentarians for support, revealing that CMAC’s budget currently stands at just over E20 million, an improvement from E14 million when he took office, but still not enough.
“The funding gap remains too wide and continues to limit CMAC’s ability to function efficiently,” he said, urging MPs to back the commission’s strategic plan.
The Minister also welcomed the opening of CMAC’s new office at Siphofaneni, saying it would improve access to services in rural areas.
CMAC Executive Director Lomkhosi Magagula presented the commission’s strategic roadmap, stating they were rebranding and intensifying efforts to work closely with the Industrial Court to reduce case backlogs.
“We are encouraging dispute resolution to happen within workplaces, and stakeholder engagement remains a key pillar of our strategy,” she said.
She further noted that CMAC continues to operate under financial pressure despite government efforts, with a 20 percent funding gap still affecting service delivery.
Chief Financial Officer Thembinkosi Dlamini added that CMAC remains heavily dependent on government subvention, which accounts for 96 percent of its funding.
“The bulk of our funds go towards salaries and office rent, and although we raised E250,000 from public training sessions, it’s not nearly enough,” he said.
Dlamini urged MPs to help ensure CMAC is not left behind in budget allocations, warning that the funding gap is slowing progress on key targets.
CMAC’s Senior Legal Commissioner Ncamiso Manana discussed the implications of the upcoming Industrial Relations Bill, highlighting the need for stronger legal tools to support conciliation and arbitration. He also called for continued capacity building and collaboration with the judiciary.
Senator Linda Nxumalo encouraged CMAC to diversify its income streams and become more self-reliant.
“You are doing great work by reaching out to communities, but you also need to think creatively about how to raise more funds,” she said.
The induction ended with renewed calls for collaboration, policy support, and shared commitment to protecting workers’ rights and promoting fair labour practices across the country.
