The SADC Private Sector Forum (SPSF) – the unifying voice on regional policies, priorities, issues, and programmes – has launched the ground-breaking SADC Labour Law Guide, an online tool that provides up-to-date labour laws from the region in one central location.

This first-of-its-kind digital resource is accessible on desktop, tablets, and mobiles and available in three languages – English, French and Portuguese.

In 2017, the SPSF, with the support of the International Labour Organisation (ILO),

set out to compile a Compendium of Labour Laws in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Its goal was to create a single access point for all labour laws in the region and subsequently a greater understanding of employers’ legal obligations, promote decent work principles, improve compliance, and facilitate formal business, trade, and employment in and between SADC countries. The result – a standardised, updated and verified single

source to all labour laws in the region.

At a time when the need and use of online information and communication is greater than ever before, the online Labour Law Guide elevates African innovation and provides a welcome and competitive resource. It will no doubt

increase accessibility to labour laws which are integral to activity across sectors from agriculture to energy and from investment to trade.

“We are extremely excited to be at the forefront of an innovative African knowledge platform. The Labour Law Guide is impressive. As a resource it will have a huge impact on the future of work, as well as development and

sustainable growth on the continent as it will facilitate investment flow into our region,” said Dr Aggrey Mlimuka, SPSF chairperson.

 

What it does

The SADC Labour Law Guide brings together up-to-date labour laws from each of the SADC countries and allows users to search and deep dive into components of laws of any specific country, compare the laws in any two countries, or get a comparative SADC view. Search results can be easily downloaded or shared. The Guide provides access to information on fundamental rights, minimum standards legislation, labour institutions, foreign worker provisions, and social security provisions.

Along with the labour laws, the platform includes a purpose built COVID-19 dashboard. This provides access to regularly updated information under ten key ‘regulatory highlights’, from Enabling Laws to Health & Safety and Goods through Ports to Unemployment Relief, where the pandemic is leaving its mark. The dashboard is a comprehensive way to keep abreast of both in-country and regional responses and reactions to COVID-19. The information is compiled and maintained through the co-ordinated effort of major legal firms from across the region.

The dashboard also displays a comparative look at the state of COVID across SADC, Africa and the rest of the world.

 

Who is it for?

Sharing information and spreading ideas that work is key to strengthening the region. Through the Labour Law Guide SPSF upholds its mandate to support regional business and investment, promote compliance and decent work principles, and facilitate both trade and employment across SADC. It is therefore designed with investors, businesses institutions (from SMEs to major corporations), governments, labour organisations, academia, and students in mind.

Nathi Dlamini, Business Eswatini, chief executive, said, “The Labour Law Guide is the most ingenious and innovative knowledge platform in Africa. I am extremely proud to be associated with the project.”

The monumental cross-country collaborative effort, endorsed by SADC, is evidence of both the region’s and Africa’s potential.

 

About SPSF

The private sector is Africa’s engine of economic growth and development, creating jobs, generating income, and providing essential goods and services across the continent. The SPSF is the unifying voice of the SADC private

sector on regional policies, priorities, issues, and programmes. The organisation advocates for a business-friendly regional environment by engaging firstly with SADC and secondly with all other stakeholders, as necessary. The SPSF is a hub for SADC business-to-business networking. Its strategic location in the Business Botswana offices in Gaborone together with other tripartite constituents such as the SADC secretariat and the Southern African Trade Union Co-ordination Council (SATUCC), is an enabler for coordination of its mandate.

#SADCLabourLawGuide https://www.sadclabourlawguide.spsf.org.bw