06 Mar 2013

Parliament has been informed that Botswana Decent Work Country Programme was adopted in February 2011.

Responding to a question on behalf of the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Mr Shaw Kgathi said the programme was a commitment by government, workers and employers to improve the quality of life for workers.

Mr Kgathi said it aimed to promote rights at work, productive and decent employment opportunities, enhance social protection and strengthen social dialogue.

The minister said generally, working conditions in Botswana were decent adding that Parliament had passed laws such as the Employment Act and Workers Compensation Act that sought to protect the rights of workers and also promote social protection and dialogue.

Mr Kgathi further said Botswana had also ratified International Labour Conventions including Convention No. 14 on Weekly Rest, which provided for a day’s rest out of a working week of seven days; Convention No 15 of Abolition of Forced Labour and Convention No. 176 on Safety and Health in Mines, which provides for government to periodically consult with the employers’ and workers’ representatives on safety and health issues in the mines.

Further, he said, structures such as labour inspectorate, mediation of trade disputes and the Industrial Court are in place to monitor implementation of the laws and conventions

On whether, he agreed with the statement ‘creating quality and sustainable employment opportunities, decent work, secure and paying a living wage is the durable solution to poverty alleviation’, he said efforts were made to establish a source.

Under normal circumstances, he said citations were acknowledged through a source.

MP for Okavango Mr Bagalatia Arone had asked the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs whether he agrees with the statement; “creating quality and sustainable employment opportunities, decent work, secure and paying a living wage is the durable solution to poverty alleviation”.

He said if so, how decent is work in Botswana. ENDS