12 Feb 2019

Ministry of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development carried out labour inspections in 35 Choppies Enterprises stores countrywide in May, November and December last year.

According to Minister Tshenolo Mabeo, who was responding to a question in Parliament on Monday, in May, inspections were carried out in different parts of the country while in the November-December period they were conducted in Francistown and Gaborone.

The minister said the inspections revealed non-compliance in some areas relating to overtime allowances, sick leave, management of contracts of employment, severance benefits and employee representative committees. Mr Mabeo said the management of the company was advised on labour laws, and that where the company was not in compliance with the law it was required to duly comply.

The minister explained that in a subsequent meeting held by the ministry officials and Choppies management on February 4, the management had assured the ministry that anomalies that were identified during the inspections had been rectified.

Further, the minister stated that Section 80 of the Employment Act outlined the items that could be deducted from an employee’s salary, explaining that sales shortage was not one of them. “Although the issue of deductions from wages to offset shortage did not surface during the labour inspection, management has indicated that shortage may result in disciplinary action. Notwithstanding this, employees are at liberty to remedy any shortage they may encounter,” he said.

Mr Mabeo observed also that it was not appropriate for employees to work long hours without overtime payment as this was not in conformity with Section 95 of the Employment Act. He said Choppies Enterprises was found not to be fully compliant with this section, particularly with regard to the rate of overtime payable during rest periods and public holidays.

He however indicated that upon follow-up, management had indicated that the correct rates were now being used. The minister nonetheless said the ministry was not aware that some employees’ take home pay ranged from P300 downwards monthly due to shortages incurred during the course of work. He said the ministry had advised the Choppies Enterprises management to establish social dialogue structures in order to minimise conflicts and employee grievances.

Mr Mabeo said the ministry would continue to carry out labour inspections with a view to advising workers and the employer on provisions of the law in order to enhance compliance; adding that employees could also approach labour offices for assistance pertaining to their employment. Gaborone North MP Mr Haskins Nkaigwa had asked the minister to state what was being done to address the ill-treatment of employees of Choppies Group of Companies’ and whether it was appropriate for the company to deduct money from employees’ pay for shortages incurred during their course of work.

Mr Nkaigwa had further wanted the minister to say whether it was appropriate for employees to work long hours without overtime pay.

Also, he had asked if the ministry was aware that some employees’ take home pay was P300 or less due to shortages incurred during the course of work. ENDS