17 Jun 2018

The debate on the motion calling for the introduction of a decent living wage policy evoked mixed reactions from legislators on June 15, with opposition MPs pleading for its adoption on the argument that workers were suffering due to low pay.

Ruling party MPs however spurned the argument, saying the motion was unnecessary as government was already doing something about the issue.

Debating the motion, Molepolole North MP Mr Mohammed Khan said the continued suffering of workers was a sign that government did not respect them.

He said it was disappointing that despite Botswana being wealthy, its workers continued to receive low wages.

Mr Khan urged government to benchmark from neighbouring countries, where he said workers were being paid decent salaries.

MP for Gabane-Mmankgodi Major General Pius Mokgware said the issue of wages was synonymous with that of service delivery.

He argued that a poorly paid worker was likely to produce unsatisfactory results in the performance of their duties.

Dr Phenyo Butale of Gaborone Central also expressed discontent at the wages workers were being paid.

Describing them as slave wages, the MP said it was necessary to completely overhaul the country’ salary structure as there was no dignity in the wages that workers were being paid.

MP Dithapelo Keorapetse of Selebi Phikwe West said Botswana had serious problems of wealth and income inequalities, the existence of the working poor as well as slave wages.

He said it was for this reason that it was imperative to introduce a living wage policy as studies had found that decent wages tended to reduce poverty.

Mr Keorapetse added that if paid decent wages, workers also tended to be more productive.

 For his part, Maun West MP Mr Tawana Moremi disagreed with the argument that government would not be able to pay decent wages due to competing priorities.

He said the policy was critical because the level of indebtedness in the country was high.

Mr Moremi said the gap between the poor and wealth was too wide and was bound to cause social strife.

MP Ndaba Gaolathe of Gaborone Bonnington South said workers needed to be paid wages that could allow them to live comfortably.

Mr Gaolathe said for the country to develop it was necessary that its workers were paid well.

Mr for Nata-Gweta Mr Polson Majaga said Batswana were living in suffering hence the need for the policy.

Mr Majaga said the continued suffering would result in despondency among the workers.

The Vice President Mr Slumber Tsogwane said government existed to among others improve the socio-economic conditions of their people.

Mr Tsogwane said what was happening today was a question of priorities.

He said government was currently grappling with resource limitations due to competing priorities hence it would not be possible to accede to the demands of the motion.

MP Tshenolo Mabeo of Thamaga-Kumakwane said comprehensive review of the minimum wage was being undertaken.

The review, he said, came as a result of a 2012 directive that directed for the undertaking of the study.

MP for Serowe-South Ms Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi said it was not true that government wanted workers to be paid slave wages.

Ms Venson-Moitoi said it was unfair to compare Botswana with neighbouring countries because the conditions of life were not the same.

The MP said in Botswana people were receiving many free and subsidised services which were not available in those countries in which workers got paid higher wages.

The free and subsidised services were meant to cushion workers in Botswana against the hardships of life in appreciation of the low wages they were receiving, she said. ENDS