Madam,

The recent finding by the International Trade Union Confederation that Eswatini ranks among countries that restrict workers’ rights carries serious implications that cannot be dismissed as an abstract international assessment. Such classifications speak directly to lived realities faced by employees who struggle to organise, bargain collectively or express grievances without fear. When a country appears on this list, it signals to the world that labour protections are weak and that power between employers and workers remains uneven.

Restrictions on workers’ rights affect more than trade unions. They shape daily working conditions wages job security and workplace dignity. Employees who cannot freely organise often face unsafe environments unfair dismissals and stagnant pay. Over time, this breeds frustration, anxiety and mistrust, which spill into households and communities. For many families, wages are the only buffer against poverty and when rights are constrained, that buffer thins dangerously.

The economic impact is equally serious. Investors increasingly consider labour standards when deciding where to place capital. A reputation for limiting workers’ rights discourages ethical investment and risks pushing Eswatini further to the margins of global value chains. It also threatens trade relationships, particularly with partners that condition market access on adherence to labour conventions. In a small economy dependent on external markets, this perception carries material consequences.

Social stability also comes into play. When workers lack lawful channels to raise concerns, tension builds beneath the surface. History shows that suppressing labour voices does not remove discontent, but delays it until it emerges in disruptive forms such as strikes protests or work stoppages. These moments harm productivity strain, policing resources and deepen divisions between labour, employers and authorities.

The classification further affects young people entering the labour market. Graduates and skilled workers seek environments where rights are respected and effort is rewarded. Persistent reports of restricted labour freedoms encourage brain drain as talent looks elsewhere for fair treatment and opportunity. This weakens national capacity and slows development.

Addressing this finding requires more than rebuttals. It calls for a review of labour laws enforcement practices and social dialogue structures.

Workers, employers and government all stand to gain from a system where rights are protected, disputes are resolved, transparently and trust is rebuilt. Compliance with international labour standards is not a concession but an investment in long-term stability.

Being listed among countries that restrict workers’ rights is a warning light. Ignoring it risks economic isolation social tension and generational loss. Confronting it openly offers a path towards fairer work stronger, institutions and shared prosperity.

The recent finding by the International Trade Union Confederation that Eswatini ranks among countries that restrict workers’ rights carries serious implications that cannot be dismissed as an abstract international assessment.