BENCHMARKS ARE FROM ILO- WINNIE

MBABANE – Minister of Labour and Social Security Winnie Magagula came out to insist that there were two additional benchmarks the kingdom had to fulfill.

She said the United States (US) Embassy was clearly unaware of them and also clarified that they were, in fact, from the International Labour Organisation (ILO), not the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA).

Magagula stated that the ILO communicated to her ministry directly about them on Friday. She told Parliament early this week that Cabinet had to be informed first on the benchmarks prior to being publicised.

“I would not have mentioned in Parliament that there were other two benchmarks in the picture if they did not really exist. There are two benchmarks government’s attention has been drawn to, but they are from the ILO,” assured Magagula yesterday.

Asked how the AGOA benchmarks came into the picture in the first place, she explained that due to their nature, it may be that by extension, the ILO benchmarks were in harmony with some of the requirements for eligibility to AGOA. Magagula highlighted that the ILO had numerous benchmarks/requirements, and their list was a source where the US Government also picked some for purposes of AGOA.

 “As far as I’m concerned the country was given five AGOA benchmarks to fulfil.  But I do concur with Trade Union Congress of Swaziland’s (TUCOSWA) Mduduzi Gina that their benchmarks do link with ILO’s. I don’t know if the US Government will also pick the additional two from the ILO,” said the minister.
Asked about the time frame given to fulfil them, she stated that it was not specified, although issues raised by ILO needed to be attended without delay.

attention

“Like in past matters, ILO raises certain matters for our attention and expects progress in resolving them,” Magagula continued.
Meanwhile, Ruth Newman, the US Embassy Public Affairs Officer, on Tuesday, clarified that the eligibility criteria for AGOA included respect for the rule of law, poverty reduction, combating corruption, respect for workers’ rights and human rights, child labour protections, and market openness.

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