23 Jul 2014

The Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs has the responsibility to intervene on behalf of employees to safeguard their interests.

Answering a question in Parliament Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri said the ministry intervenes whenever there is a labour-related issue that may put employee’s life in jeopardy; issues such as not allowing employees time-off to collect their life saving medications (Anti-Retroviral medication).

In order to minimise frequent clinic visits to collect ARV monthly, as is the current policy, Mr Matlhabaphiri said a special dispensation has been accorded to Okavango Delta employees to refill their medications every three months to ensure optimum adherence.

Maun West MP, Mr Tawana Moremi had wanted to know what interaction was there to compel employers in the Okavango Delta to release employees, so that they collect ARVs for adherence purposes as government outlays considerable resources on the programme. ENDS