07 Jul 2016

 The Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs conducts labour inspections in private companies on a regular basis.

The Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Mr Edwin Batshu said since January 2016 to date, the ministry had conducted 4 077 inspections comprising of 1 016 routine inspections, 322 spot checks and 2 739 business monitoring inspections in collaboration with the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, local government and rural development, Botswana Unified Revenue Services and other law enforcement agencies.

Mr Batshu said his ministry was aware that some companies employ Batswana without written contracts of employment although Section 14 (1) of the Employment Act provides that a contract of employment may be oral or in writing, expressed or implied.

He said labour inspections encourage employers to enter into written contracts of employment with employees, adding that his ministry conducts labour inspections in the private sector on a continuous basis with a view of ensuring compliance to labour laws as well as to educate employers and employees about their right and responsibilities.

The MP for Gaborone North, Mr Haskins Nkaigwa had asked the minister to state how often does the ministry conducts labour inspections in private companies, and if he was aware that most companies continue to employ Batswana without contracts of employment.

Mr Nkaigwa also wanted to know whether there were plans to conduct inspections in all private companies in Botswana in an effort to save Batswana from unfavourable labour conditions at the hands of their employers. Ends