08 Nov 2017

Parliament has been told that during the 2016/2017 financial year, the Ombudsman received and investigated 1 564 complaints and resolved 798 of them.

Delivering the State of the Nation Address on November 6, President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama said the office of the Ombudsman has also focused on increasing its outreach in the context of the need for greater public awareness of its traditional role and expanded human rights mandate.

Regarding civil society, President Khama said government recognised the role of civil society in development.

He said the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Council was established in 2013 to advise government on the NGO policy implementation.

“Thus far, a strategic plan and operational plan have been developed to guide the implementation of the policy,” he said.

Regarding labour issues, President Khama said government continued to provide labour administration services to the nation with a view to promoting industrial harmony.

The services, he said, include labour inspections, trade disputes resolution, promotion of industrial relations as well as processing of workers compensation and work and residence permits.

He said the labour system supported the attainment of sustainable economic growth by putting in place favourable laws, policies and regulations in line with international labour standards.

President Khama explained that government continued to improve labour legislation in order to create a conducive labour relations climate.

Pursuant to the objective, President Khama explained that Parliament passed the Trade Disputes Bill of 2016.

He said the Ministry of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development was working with employers and workers representatives to identify gaps in the Employment Act and Trade Unions and Employers Act that may necessitate the amendment of the acts to facilitate business as well as to bring the laws into conformity with ILO conventions ratified by Botswana.

President Khama said other labour laws that were being considered for amendment included the Workers Compensation Act and Factories Act with a view to align them with the latest developments and best practice.

“Furthermore, the development of the national policy on wellness and disease management in the world of work and national occupational health and safety policy is at an advanced stage,” he added.

He said the adoption of the policies would facilitate the management of wellness at the workplace as well as the implementation of occupational health and safety programmes at the workplace.

President Khama said the Botswana Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP), whose objective was to promote employment creation, social protection, social dialogue and rights at work, would be coming to an end in December 2017. ENDS