10 Jul 2013

The Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Mr Edwin Batshu says recruitment of foreign labour should comply with the Immigration Act.

Addressing management of Talana Farms in Bobirwa on Tuesday, Mr Batshu said the Immigration Act stipulated that granting and issuance of residential and workers permits for foreigners was awarded to applicants whose skills were not available locally.

For the Immigration Selection Board to issue work and residence permits to foreigners, he said the imported labour should have capability to add value to the country’s economy.

The minister was responding to calls by the managing director of Talana Farms, Mr Jan Willemse who stated that his company had encountered difficulties in recruiting locals to work in the farm. Mr Willemse stated that the locals were not interested to work in agriculture sector hence being compelled to engage foreigners from Gwanda, Zimbabwe.

Most locals, he said, absconded from work after payday and preferred to work at Ipelegeng. He stated that 80 locals failed to report for duty last month, which resulted in labour shortages and failing to meet their supply demands.

He stated that the labour force at the farm stood at 443 with 251 locals and 192 foreigners. He indicated that the farm needed more than 150 workers, adding that efforts to recruit workers from neigbouring villages and Tswapong area did not yield any results.

Thus, he called on the minister to speed up issuance of exemption permits so that workers could start working immediately after their arrival while awaiting the outcome of the emergency work permits.

He also highlighted that the cost of a three-year permit was too high.  In his response, Minister Batshu appreciated that the agriculture sector had created employment for most Batswana adding that he would consult the president on some of the issues raised.

Bobirwa MP and also Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture, Mr Shaw Kgathi said Talana Farms had potential to diversify the country’s economy. Mr Kgathi said the farm had created employment for Bobirwa and the entire nation. He said he was hopeful that Minister Batshu would deal with labour issues raised during the meeting.   

The two ministers were accompanied by immigration and labour officials who explained some procedures to the farm management.

Talana Farms is a joint venture with Botswana Development Corporation and has planted 300 hectares under irrigation with a capacity to supply the whole country. ENDS