Government rejects ‘worst country for workers’ label

Government has strongly rejected the country’s continued classification among the world’s worst countries for workers in a yearly report by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), describing the label as bizarre if not politically motivated.

The 2025 Global Rights Index compiled by the Brussels ITUC deems working conditions in the country as one of the most hostile to workers globally, comparable to such countries as Bangladesh, Belarus, Myanmar, Egypt and Nigeria.
Released annually to coincide with the start of the International Law Commission (ILC) in Geneva, the report which has kept the kingdom firmly on the list of countries for the past three years, paints a grim picture of the state of labour rights in the country.

According to the report, union gatherings and petition delivery processions are frequently blocked under the 2017 Public Order Act and that some union leaders face harassment and dismissal.
Specific mention is made of SWATCAWU General Secretary Sticks Nkambule and SNAT President Mbongwa Dlamini, with the ITUC claiming their cases represent a systematic undermining of union activity in the country.

“Basic freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly are severely restricted and the law is frequently used to ban union gatherings and petition delivery processions, including those organised by the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA),” reads a part of the report.
Labour Commissioner Mthunzi Shabangu, however, has questioned the transparency and standards of the rating process of the index, which for the third consecutive year, places Eswatini among the bottom 10 countries globally.

“This classification is completely unknown to government. As to what standards are used for this classification, we do not know. Government is not even consulted for any comment on this,” he stated.
Shabangu said government would be engaging the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA), which is affiliated to the ITUC, to establish the basis of the index and determine the union’s role in its compilation.

“We periodically submit reports to the ILO on all ratified conventions which are being examined by established ILO supervisory bodies, who give us feedback as a country on what we should improve on and if there’s a law we are breaking, we are invited to come answer at the conference,” he added.
The labour commissioner’s reaction to the report comes just days after the ministry of labour and social security proudly announced the country’s successful removal from the ILC’s list of countries under scrutiny for non-compliance with Convention No. 144 on Tripartite Consultations.

In its statement, the ministry celebrated the removal as a milestone victory for the country, making it known that it was due to national efforts driven by the Labour Advisory Board (LAB), comprising government, employer and worker representatives.
“The victory for the exclusion of the country from the final list of cases should be dedicated to the existence of improved social dialogue and tripartism in the country,” reads a part of the statement by the ministry, which puts emphasis on the fact that the kingdom demonstrated sufficient commitment to dialogue and reform to warrant its removal from the ILC’s final agenda.

Last month, Prime Minister Russell Dlamini made a public call for better treatment of workers, urging employers to prioritise employee welfare and improve working conditions. Speaking in a video posted on the government’s official X page ahead of the Eswatini Investment Conference, the PM said a dignified and productive workforce was central to attracting investment and creating jobs.

“Employers are encouraged to take good care of employees so that the country can attract foreign direct investment,” said the PM, arguing that while workers must be productive and cooperative, the greater burden of fostering a conducive investment climate lies with employers.
The top 10 worst countries for workers in 2024, according to the report;
– Bangladesh
– Belarus
– Ecuador
– Egypt
– Eswatini
– yanmar
– Nigeria
– Philippines
– Tunisia
– Türkiye