23 Feb 2016

Minister of Labour and Home Affairs says he is not aware that Giant Transport in Gaborone North continues to retrench Batswana from work every month replacing them with foreigners.

Answering a question in Parliament on Monday, Minister Edwin Batshu said the only major retrenchment at the company was in April to July 2014 when the company retrenched 60 employees after Mupane Mine terminated its contract with Giant Transport.

He said in the past 12 months, two Batswana employees; a sales representative and a bookkeeper were dismissed due to allegations of dishonesty to the organisation. The two posts are still vacant, he said.

Within the same period, he said, his ministry issued four work permits to the company, of which three were renewals and one fresh application. 

All the four permits issued were for managerial positions and the applicants were not replacing any dismissed employees.

Minister Batshu further said workers in Botswana are protected by various labour laws which are implemented by his ministry through the department of Labour and Social Security. Where violations are discovered appropriate action is taken as prescribed by law, he added. 

MP for Gaborone North Mr Haskins Nkaigwa had asked the minister if he is aware that Giant Transport continues to retrench/dismiss Batswana from work every month replacing them with foreigners. Ends