14 Dec 2017

Minister of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development, Mr Tshenolo Mabeo says issuing of work and residence permits to no-citizens either as employees or investors is informed by the Revised National Policy on Incomes, Employment, Prices and Profits of 2005 and the Immigration Act of 2010.

Mr Mabeo said the policy stipulated that work permits were issued subject to, among others, a security clearance, clearance by professional bodies or relevant ministries and the commitment to implement the training and localisation plans.

He said for subsequent issuance of work and residence permits, evidence of availability of and adherence to the training and localisation plan was also a condition.

He added that the application for work and residence permits for foreign legal practitioners were subjected to the requirements of the policy and assessed and issued by the regional immigrants selection boards through the point based system.

MP for Francistown East, Mr Buti Billy had asked the minister why his ministry continued to issue work permits to foreign legal practitioners to operate in the country when there were qualified Batswana lawyers who were currently roaming the streets without employment. ENDS