13 Mar 2017

Employment laws do not compel employers to provide transport for their employees who start work in the early hours of the morning and those who knock off late at night.

The Minister of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development, Mr Tshenolo Mabeo said however employers have a moral duty to take keen interest in the welfare of their employees.

Mr Mabeo was responding to a question from the MP for Francistown East, Mr Buti Billy in Parliament on Wednesday.

MP Billy had asked the minister if his ministry does not consider it prudent to come up with a law that would compel chain stores to provide transport for their employees who start work in the early hours of the morning and those who knock off late, as they fall prey to criminals who way lay them to rob them of their valuables and sometimes murder them.

Minister Mabeo further said his ministry does not have immediate plans to come up with a law that would compel chain stores to provide transport for their employees who start work in the early hours of the morning and those who knock off late at night.

“Provision of transport is a condition of service and therefore a negotiable item. Employees may also negotiate with their employers to provide transport to and from work during specified hours of the day.

He noted that once the employees and employers agree on this issue, it will be stipulated in the collective labour agreement or contract of work and will be binding on the employer,” he said.

The minister also encouraged all employers to be considerate and safeguard the welfare of their employees by ensuring that their safety was not compromised. ENDS