23 Jul 2015

Debswana Diamond Company is one of the companies that has shown commitment to the submission of training and localisation plans to the commissioner of labour, says labour and home affairs minister, Mr Edwin Batshu.

He said the last plan submitted by the company covers the period 2013-2018. The plan, he added, has been discussed by representatives of management and employees, and was awaiting approval by the commissioner of labour and representatives of management and workers.

Mr Batshu noted that Debswana has been able to reduce the number of non-citizens employed by the company from 5.06 per cent in 2008 to 3.05 per cent in 2012.

He said the number of foreign doctors employed at Orapa and Letlhakane mine hospitals was six, adding that all of the doctors were general practitioners. He said there were also five Batswana doctors.

In 2001, 2003 and 2008, he noted that one foreign medical doctor was employed each year while two doctors were employed in 2009 and one doctor in 2010.

He added that their contracts were renewed because of the inability to find doctors with the required level of skill and experience locally.

The minister further stated that the reasons advanced by Debswana when applying for new permits, were the inability to find doctors with the required skill and expertise locally.

However, he said the philosophy adopted by Debswana hospitals was to localise through their learner programme which trains and develops citizen doctors internally in their organisation.

The MP for Boteti East, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe had asked the minister if he was aware of any Debswana Orapa and Letlhakane mine hospital localisation plan, and if so, to state the number of foreign doctors and their specialty.

Mr Lelatisitswe further asked when the doctors were first engaged, why their contracts were renewed instead of hiring locals.
He also wanted to know reasons advanced every time they apply for new permits. Ends