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The Federation of Swaziland Employers and Chamber of Commerce (FSE & CC) is the leading private sector business organisation in Swaziland, which acts as a bridge for cooperation between business and government on efforts to: Help remove barriers to trade, Mobilise investment, Foster a good environment for business, Promote good practice in corporate governance and corporate citizenship.
It represents businesses employing the vast majority of workers outside of government, with more than 500 members and a dedicated team of ten employees. The FSE & CC is the driving force behind organised business and employers in Swaziland. Membership is open to businesses of any size or industry, and includes the majority of Swaziland’s top 200 companies. The organisation is recognised by business, organised labour, government and the international community where it currently holds membership of the International Organisation of Employers, Association of SADC Chambers of Commerce & Industry and the Pan-African Employers Confederation. It has signed cooperation agreements with many business organisations (Employers Organisation and Chambers of Commerce) within SADC and abroad. |
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The FSE&CC emerges out of an amalgamation of the then Swaziland Chamber of Commerce and Industry to the Federation of Swaziland Employers in July 2003. The Federation of Swazialnd Employers was initially formed in 1964, primarily to promote, protect and advance the mutual interests of employers, and to provide a forum for consultation and collaboration on all matters arising out of the relation between employers and employees.
The Swaziland Chamber of Commerce and Industry, on the other hand, can trace its origin as far back as 1916. The chamber was established as a non-profit voluntary association with its main aim to represent and defend the interests of its members in promoting and fostering trade, commerce and industry of all descriptions.
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Members benefit from a range of specialised services and expert consultancy. Promoting and facilitating trade and industrial harmony is a major FSE & CC focus where it operates in cooperation with government, labour and other relevant stakeholders. The secretariat provides a range of helpful products and services categorised into “core services” and “user pay services”. CORE SERVICES These have been specially designed to keep membership subscriptions at a reasonable level through the provision of services that are common to all members such as the following: Dialogue with the government on the likely impact on the business sector of existing and envisaged government polices Representation to the government and the authorities on problems faced by business with a view to seeking redress for concerns Provision of services related to: Labour legislation including Safety, Health, Environment and Quality guidelines Best practice in employment, in line with International Labour Standards Provision of information related to the promotion of trade, investment and improved relations between workers and employers through: Trade enquiries and market reports Trade directories and publications Newsletters/bulletins Government publications Information related to international labour standards and national labour laws Statistical information etc. Publicising the capabilities of members and their areas of business Networking and information forums Direct access to the Business Coalition against HIV/AIDS (BCHA), a sub-structure of the FSE & CCwhich mobilises the private sector to fight against HIV/AIDS in the workplace, provides a set of guidelines to address the epidemic through collaboration, integration and education on the appropriate responses to HIV and Aids. The BCHA works in partnership with Unions, NGOs and NERCHA.
USER PAY SERVICES Some members have specific demands for services and the following are sought after on a wide variety of business matters: Training programmes on Industrial Relations, Strategic Planning, Occupational Health and Safety, and other trade related workshops Collective Agreements and Recognition of Unions Dispute prevention and resolution Facilitation, mediation and arbitration Ad hoc surveys and customised research Hire of meeting room and secretarial services Advertising Sale of publications and SAD500 forms Management services, executive coaching and corporate governance
The FSE&CC collaborates with a number of institutions with expertise to provide customised services to our clients
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The Constitution vests power on the Board of Directors over various areas relevant to broadcasting the voice of business at a local and national level, striving for an economic and cultural environment that fosters business growth, economic development and job creation.
The main objects of the organisations include: - To be an umbrella body for all businesses in Swaziland
- To promote and defend the interests of its members in any way as may be considered necessary
- To promote and foster trade, commerce and industry of all descriptions whatsoever, in and outside of Swaziland
- To promote, support and/or make representations in relation to legislative or other measures affecting the interests of members and the trading environment
- To collect, clarify and disseminate statistical and other information of relevance and interest to our members
- To speak authoritatively and independently for the whole business community (business and employers) on issues of policy and public interest
- To conciliate, negotiate, arbitrate or by any other means contribute to the settlement of commercial or industrial disputes".
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The FSE & CC participates in policy dialogue with the government and has representation on the following Boards and Committees, inter alia: - Tax Advisory Committee
- Swaziland Environmental Authority
- Industrial and Vocational Training Board
- Central Tender Board
- Swaziland National Provident Fund
- Sales Tax (Customs and Excise Advisory Committee)
- Labour Advisory Board
- Training and Localisation Committee
- SWAZIMED
- Statistical Committee
- Swaziland Energy Policy, Fuel Pricing Committee
- Swaziland Coalition of Concerned Civic Organisations
- Swaziland Human Development Forum
- Swaziland National Trade Negotiation Team
- Swaziland Road Safety Council
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Executive Committee
Chairperson: Mr. Ambrose Dlamini
Finance Committee
Chairperson: Mr. Gideon Mahlalela
Industrial Relations & Social Policy
Vice-President: Mr. Jobe Mashwama
Trade & Commerce
Vice-President: Mr.Sandile Simelane
Business Coalition against HIV/AIDS
Chairperson: Mr. Nick Jackson
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