23 Apr 2017

It is important for the private sector to understands policies and derive key points on building a robust structure for participation in social policies.
Speaking during Business Botswana breakfast seminar on Friday, Minister of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development, Mr Tshenolo Mabeo said understanding social protection policies and programmes would help the private sector understand the framework for an optimal implementation of various labour related policies.
“Social protection policies provide security for workers facing various life contingencies throughout their lifetime.
Various life events can have adverse effects on workers’ well-being and productivity,” he said.
 He said there were various risks and contingencies during a workers’ life course that can disrupt business operations if not properly managed.
He however noted that if adequate social protection benefits were in place and well managed, it may result in a win-win situation for both workers and employers.
He cited as an example, maternity protection, saying it played an important role in protecting the health of both the mothers and the child, but could also increase female labour market participation, morale, productivity, and result in lower turnover and training costs.
Mr Mabeo also said ensuring effective access to health care contributed not only to maintaining or improving workers’ health status, but contributed to a fully efficient and productive workforce and lowered the costs of work days missed due to illness.
He further said employment injury protection ensured access to health care, rehabilitation and income security in the case of a work accident or occupational disease.
The minister said government further provided a wide range of services aimed at reducing poverty and providing social safety net for individuals, vulnerable groups, families and children.
“I can confidently say Botswana is one of the few countries in Africa that fully funds the social protection programmes out of own resources, and dedicate a significant part of its GDP to this endeavour, programmes such as Ipelegeng, Youth Schemes, Government House Appeal, Old Age Pension Scheme and many others,” he said.
 For his part, Business Botswana leader, Mr Lekwalo Mosienyane said it was important for the private sector to comprehend and appreciate that social protection packages allowed them to attract quality, motivated and committed employees.
He said Botswana was not immune to global financial-economic crisis and globalisation effects. “This is reflected in the rising levels of poverty, inequality and inflationary pressures and it consequently presents a compelling case for workers to demand attractive social protection packages and certainly, Botswana is not spared,” he said. BOPA