08 Jul 2015

Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Mr Edwin Batshu says he is not aware of any abuse of employees by a general manager at Lewis Stores.

Responding to a question from Gaborone North MP, Mr Haskins Nkaigwa in parliament, Minister Batshu said the only complaint raised by employees of the company in the past involved the use of words which were not acceptable to them by the regional controller.

He said the matter was addressed and resolved in the labour inspection carried out on September 11, 2013. 

In addition, Minister Batshu said his ministry has not renewed a work permit for a general manager at Lewis Stores. 

He further explained that the only expatriate who was granted work and residence permit occupied the post of the regional controller.

He said the incumbent retired from the company on May 30, 2015 following the rejection of the renewal of his permits by the Regional Immigrants Selection Board on April 30, 2015.

MP Nkaigwa had asked the minister what action has been taken by his ministry to address the abuse that employees at Lewis Furniture continue to endure from their general manager; and why a South African general manager’s work permit keeps being renewed whilst there were many Batswana who could do the job. ENDS