Swaziland

Employment Contracts

Employment contracts in Eswatini may be for an indefinite term or fixed term. Written contracts should provide the terms and conditions of employment, including:

• The name of employee and employer
• The date employment began
• Wage and method of calculation
• How wages are paid
• Regular hours of work
• A short description of employee’s position
• A probation period (if applicable)
• Annual leave
• Holiday entitlement
• Payment during sickness
• Signatures of both parties and a witness signature
• Any other terms of the agreement

Public Holidays

The following public holidays are observed in Eswatini:

• New Year’s Day
• Good Friday
• Easter Monday
• King’s Birthday
• National Flag Day
• Labor Day
• Ascension Day
• King Father’s Birthday
• Umhlanga Reed Dance
• Somhlolo Day
• Christmas Day
• Day of Goodwill (Boxing Day)

Compensation

Employers are not required to pay bonuses to employees in Eswatini, but some employers choose to pay performance-based bonuses.

Working Hours

The standard work week is eight hours a day and 48 hours a week, over six days. However, individual employment contracts and collective agreements may provide for different work hours and days. Overtime is permitted and generally paid at 150% of the employee’s regulate rate.

Vacation Leave

Employees receive 12 days of paid annual leave after one year of service. After four years of service, employees are entitled to 13 days of paid leave and employees with five years are allowed 15 days of paid leave each year.

Sick Leave

After three months of employment with the same employer, employees are eligible for a maximum of 14 days of paid sick leave and a maximum of 14 days at half-pay annually.

Maternity / Paternity Leave

Female employees receive 12 weeks of maternity leave. Six weeks of maternity leave can be taken before the birth of the child. Two weeks of the leave are paid if the employee has worked for more than one year. Leave can be extended by up to six weeks for related illnesses during the pregnancy.

There is no statutory paternity leave.

Employment Termination / Severance

Both the employer and employee can terminate an employment relationship by providing notice. The notice period is between one week to one month depending on the employee’s length of service. No notice is required during the probation period. Severance pay is 10 working day’s wages for each completed year of service after the first year.

Health Insurance Benefits

All residents must pay for and arrange healthcare insurance.