What has been done:

The enabling environment for sustainable enterprises in Swaziland was assessed through a careful review of secondary data, findings from a national perception survey of workers and employers (including owners, CEOs and managers of companies), and supplementary information from published and unpublished materials. In addition, the report also draws on interviews with businesses, trade unions and government officials, undertaken in October 2009 and July 2010 and with information generated through focus group discussions involving business leaders.The perception survey was conducted in late 2009 jointly between the ILO and the Federation of Swaziland Employers and Chamber of Commerce (FSE&CC) with the aim of identifying policy and advocacy strategies, and to inform the development of the EESE report.

The Survey and its sample:

The survey was conducted in two parts, first reviewing business owners’ needs and challenges, and second, reviewing the attitudes of workers (including professionals) with the aim of informing policy development of employers.
A total of 133 enterprise representatives, or employers, were sampled. The age of business has been used to classify firms as new, young and established (in existence for less than 5, between 5 and 10 or more than 10 years respectively). The sample comprised 5 per cent micro (employing 3 or less people), 24 per cent small (4-10 employees), 40 per cent medium (10-50 employees) and 32 per cent large enterprises (more than 50 full time employees).
The EESE survey sample of workers is made up of 72 individuals.

Results:

Subsequently, a related Federation of Swaziland Employers and Chamber of Commerce (FSE&CC) strategy report has been prepared. This outlined the main policy conclusions, with recommendations, in the form of an action plan for follow up work in a number of areas including: policy dialogue on higher education as part of the national curricula review/Education Act; productivity benchmarking; promotion of platforms for social dialogue both at the national and sub-national levels; and integration of SME members into FSE&CC policy positions through targeted support and outreach.