All member States must strive towards the Improvement of living and working conditions of employees by addressing issues like working hours, rest periods, paid leave and maternity leave etc. (Art 11.). Every employee in SADC has the right to a healthy and safe working environment. (Art.12). Member States are also required to create an enabling environment so that industrial and workplace democracy is promoted (Art.13). From the above it is clear that the Charter aims to create or establish a broad framework of basic labour and or social rights and this can be interpreted as a Transnational Labour Relations framework for SADC. Member states are required to submit regular progress reports to the Secretariat regarding the implementation of the Charter. Unfortunately the Charter does not specify what is by regular reports nor what steps can be taken against a member State that fails to implement the Charter. SADC Employment and Labour Protocol In August 2014 the Heads of State of all SADC member States approved and signed a new Employment and Labour Protocol stating that they are of realising “desirous the aspirations of regional cooperation and integration in the employment and labour sector”. The specific objectives of the protocol is as follows: (a) setting minimum standards on employment and labour, social security, safety and health at work place and related matters; (b) providing a framework for harmonisation of policies and legislation on employment, labour and social security, safety and health standards at the work place and enhancing cohesion and common approaches to labour market challenges;
All member States must strive towards the Improvement of living and working conditions of employees by addressing issues like working hours, rest periods, paid leave and maternity leave etc. (Art 11.). Every employee in SADC has the right to a healthy and safe working environment. (Art.12). Member States are also required to create an enabling environment so that industrial and workplace democracy is promoted (Art.13). From the above it is clear that the Charter aims to create or establish a broad framework of basic labour and or social rights and this can be interpreted as a Transnational Labour Relations framework for SADC. Member states are required to submit regular progress reports to the Secretariat regarding the implementation of the Charter. Unfortunately the Charter does not specify what is by regular reports nor what steps can be taken against a member State that fails to implement the Charter. SADC Employment and Labour Protocol In August 2014 the Heads of State of all SADC member States approved and signed a new Employment and Labour Protocol stating that they are “desirous of realising the aspirations of regional cooperation and integration in the employment and labour sector”. The specific objectives of the protocol is as follows: (a) setting minimum standards on employment and labour, social security, safety and health at work place and related matters; (b) providing a framework for harmonisation of policies and legislation on employment, labour and social security, safety and health standards at the work place and enhancing cohesion and common approaches to labour market challenges;
ILPC2016paper-BERLIN%20PAPER_20160208_104531.docx