20 Feb 2019

Diagnofirm Medical Laboratories in Botswana has a staff complement of 89, Minister of Employment, Labour and Skills Development Mr Tshenolo Mabeo has said.

Answering a question in Parliament, he said out of the 89 workers, 55 were Batswana and 34 non-citizens.

Mr Mabeo said records indicated that the company fulfilled the requirement on recruitment of non-citizens.

He explained that prior to recruiting foreigners, employers were required to search for suitable locals in the labour market, which formed a basis for the decision by Immigration Selection Board on work permits applications.

Furthermore, the minister said Diagnofirm was reported to have lost 18 Batswana to local hospitals after training them in the last three years.

This was attributable to better remuneration and incentives, particularly payment of scarce skill allowance and accommodation benefits, he said.

Mr Mabeo revealed that the company restricted laboratory specialists and technicians from working within 30km from its laboratories or depot for a period of one year in order to protect its trade secrets. This, he said, was stated in the code of conduct and ethics of the business.

Gaborone North MP Mr Haskins Nkaigwa had asked the minister to state the company’s staff complement in Botswana indicating the number of Batswana employees as well as that of foreigners. He also wanted to know whether there were no qualified and experienced Batswana for the positions held by foreigners. Ends