11 Apr 2016

The Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Mr Edwin Batshu has told Parliament that the issuance of work and residence permits to foreigners is informed by the Revised National Policy on Incomes, Employment, Prices and Profits of 2005 and the Immigration Act.

The minister said the policy stipulates that work permits are subject to evidence that a company has sought to recruit and give preference to citizens, commitment to implement training and localisation plans and clearance by professional bodies or relevant ministries.

He also said work permits are subject to evidence to the availability of and adherence to training and localisation plans for issuance of subsequent work and residence permits.

Mr Batshu said applications for work and residence permits for foreign nationals, including those for the sole proprietors of Francistown are subjected to the requirements of the policy assessed by the Regional Immigration Selection Boards through the point based system.

The minister said he was aware that the sole proprietors in some law firms in Fraincistown unlawfully repatriate massive capital from the country.

He was answering a question from Francistown East MP, Mr Billy Buti who had asked why the ministry continues to renew work permits for the sole proprietors of Francistown based law firms yet they do not contribute meaningfully to the economy and are repatriating massive capital from the country.

He had also wanted to know why they employ foreigners as their professional assistants when there are qualified Batswana without employment. Ends