SOME OF THE TOPICS TO BE DISCUSSED:
1. The Changing World of Work: What changes have taken place over the past 20 years of the Indurstial Act-The Guest Speaker will be tracing critical changes in the Industrial relations environment from a case law perspective.
2. The ILO will be presenting 4th IR: New World of Work Realities for the Labour Market- Research done by the ILO will be presented on the realities of the 4th Industrial Resolution (IR) for the labour market.
3. Navigating the Post COVID-19 Environment: Future Thinking for Industrial Relations Agencies- This topic seeks to understand the future thinking for industrial relations agencies. It will cover the cases that have impacted the new normal, impact to the tripartite and the role of industrial relations agencies in the new world of work.
4. Flexibility in Employment Contracts: Protecting Jobs, Enhancing Flexibility: Lessons for Eswatini 7 Labour - The topic will address issues of challenges of working within a post COVID-19 workplace, critically asking the questions such as; can the employer reserve the right to change the terms of the contract, in response to the changes faced post COVID-19 and into the future? Work-fromhome best practice: Exploration of whether the four-day-week would work in Eswatini: Issues of labour migration and employment exclusivity.
5. Panel Discussion: Policy implications for Hybrid, Flexible and Remote Work Models - Organisations in the public and private sector responded and implemented different work models, seeing as employees were now forced to stay at home. Issues to be explored are labour rights, working tools & benefits: Social security considerations for at home work and best practice/what industries are best suited for hybrid/flexible and remote work models. The panellists will represent employer and employee’s points of view.
6. Emergencies and Business Shutdown: Business interruption and employment protection in Eswatini - The speaker will provide context of the impact of emergencies and business shutdown to all parties. To date, we have had only an article in the print media that speaks to the economic impact, we would like to provide an opportunity to all delegates to understand the impact from all fronts. The intent of the topic is really to understand whether the intended outcome is achieved for the individual for whom it is said to benefit, the impact to the business and the economy. This reality is to ensure that context is understood by all parties in the labour relationship and recommendations made on how best to proceed into the future.