18 Mar 2019

 Government has no plans to ratify more International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions.

Minister of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development Mr Tshenolo Mabeo told Parliament that so far Botswana had ratified 15 ILO Conventions.

He said to this effect domestication of Botswana’s laws had been a continuous process and consultation between the ministry, employers representatives and workers organisations had been ongoing with a view to, amongst other things, fill the gaps in labour laws pertaining to non-compliance with some of the ratified conventions.

Mr Mabeo said ILO was facilitating the ministry in further reviewing the Employment Act, Trade Unions and Employers Organisation Act, and the Public Service Act to further close existing gaps that had been identified.

He said a Labour Law Review Committee comprising the tripartite had been formed for that purpose. He noted that it was expected that the review would be completed in the financial year 2019/2020.Minister Mabeo said government intended to comply with all ratified conventions and would continuously engage where gaps were identified. 

He said other conventions that were necessary for protection of workers’ rights would be considered as a result of continual engagement with labour movement and business.

He was responding to a question from Nkange MP Mr Edwin Batshu who asked the minister whether his ministry intended to sign or ratify any of the ILO conventions in the near future.ENDS