By 
by Ncaba Ntshakala
The Ministry of Labour and Social Security’s Annual Report for 2024/25 has revealed a 12% decline in labour inspections across the country, attributing the decrease to limited resources, transport challenges, and a shortage of personnel.
The report indicates that 1,110 inspections were conducted during the year under review, compared to 1,242 inspections in 2023 and 1,586 in 2022, showing a consistent downward trend in the number of workplace assessments carried out.
The Ministry expressed concern over the declining figures, stating that labour inspections play a crucial role in ensuring compliance with employment laws and protecting workers’ rights.
The drop of 132 inspections this year is a direct result of logistical constraints, particularly the lack of vehicles for inspectors to travel to various workplaces.
However, the government is currently making efforts to procure new motor vehicles, which should improve the department’s capacity to conduct more inspections in the coming years.
A significant challenge outlined in the report is the severe shortage of labour inspectors. The General Inspectorate Unit, which is responsible for enforcing compliance with labour laws, currently operates with just 13 inspectors who are expected to oversee over 20,000 work establishments nationwide.
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Given the vast number of businesses requiring inspection, the Ministry noted that the number of inspectors is critically low.
To address this issue, the Ministry of Public Service recently approved the hiring of five additional labour inspectors, a move that is welcomed but still insufficient compared to the high demand for inspections.
The Ministry emphasized the urgent need for more personnel to strengthen workplace monitoring and ensure that employees receive the protections they are entitled to under labour laws such as the Employment Act, Wages Act, and Workmen’s Compensation Act.
Apart from inspections, the report also highlights a decline in workplace interventions and sessions aimed at improving employer-employee relations. In the past year, 1,484 interventions were recorded, a decrease from 1,678 in 2023 and 1,728 in 2022.
These sessions are vital in resolving disputes, ensuring fair treatment of workers, and fostering a positive labour environment. The downward trend in these interventions signals another concerning development in labour relations within the country.
The General Inspectorate Unit plays a fundamental role in maintaining fair labour practices by conducting inspections and ensuring compliance with key employment regulations.
During workplace visits, inspectors assess employee records, wage payments, contracts, annual leave forms, and compliance with health and safety requirements.
They also conduct interviews with employers and workers, particularly in cases where a trade union or workers’ committee exists.
Through these inspections, several common violations of labour laws have been identified. Among them is the failure to pay severance and terminal benefits, particularly in cases of retrenchments or company closures, which is a direct violation of Section 40 of the Employment Act.
Another significant concern is the non-compliance with company takeover laws, where businesses fail to meet the requirements set under Section 33bis of the Employment Act.
Other frequent violations include failure to issue written employment particulars to workers, as required by law, underpayment of wages, and the failure to keep employment registers and records, which violates Section 151 of the Employment Act.
Additionally, some companies fail to provide first aid equipment for workers, do not display wage charts outlining the minimum terms of employment, and do not issue payslips to employees.
One of the most serious violations observed is the failure to insure employees against work-related injuries and diseases, which is a requirement under Section 25 of the Workmen’s Compensation Act.
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The report also highlights efforts by the Department of Labour to improve compliance despite the resource limitations. One of the key initiatives currently being piloted is the Strategic Compliance Plan (SCP) portal, a tool developed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) to assist member states in enforcing labour laws more effectively.
The SCP aims to maximize available resources by adopting a targeted and strategic approach to inspections, allowing the inspectorate to focus on high-risk areas and critical labour violations.
The Strategic Compliance Plan was introduced in Eswatini in 2018, when the country joined a select group of ILO member states testing this new approach to labour inspection.
The initiative is designed to help governments overcome challenges related to limited resources by creating tailored, proactive compliance interventions.
ccording to the report, the SCP does not only focus on short-term inspection strategies but also lays the foundation for long-term compliance planning.
One of the key benefits of the SCP approach is that it enables the Labour Inspectorate to work with relevant stakeholders, including trade unions, employer associations, and industry regulators, to ensure that businesses adhere to labour laws.
By strengthening collaboration between different sectors, the SCP aims to improve overall compliance and reduce labour disputes in workplaces across the country.
Despite these innovative efforts, the Ministry acknowledges that without additional human and financial resources, the impact of labour inspections will remain limited.
The current inspector-to-business ratio is alarmingly high, making it impossible for the existing team of inspectors to effectively monitor compliance across the entire country.
The hiring of five new inspectors is a step in the right direction, but the Ministry insists that more personnel are needed to ensure that all workplaces are regularly inspected.
