31 Jul 2019

The Minister of Employment, Labour and Productivity Skills Development, Mr Tshenolo Mabeo has  admitted that some companies contracted by Debswana Jwaneng Mine import labour.

Responding to a question in Parliament Mr Mabeo said the contracted companies brought specialist employees for specific projects that were time bound.

He stated that the companies brought specialists, skilled and semi-skilled artisans who were brought in to assemble and operate specialised machinery or equipment in honour of warranty conditions of the machinery supplied by their companies, as well as to service, repair, install or commission machines or equipment where the skills were not available locally.

He further stated that the employees were normally sub-contracted for a short term of a day to three months.

The minister however stated that he was not aware that job seekers were planning a mass demonstration.

Nevertheless, Mr Mabeo pointed out that his ministry recognised the importance of regular engagement with job-seekers.

For that reason, the District Labour Office in Jwaneng and job-seekers had established a consultative forum which regularly meets to address issues of common concern.

He said the recent engagement was on May 10 and was informed that the issue of employment and non-citizens did not arise.

“In my view, this engagement the between the District Labour Officer in Jwaneng and job-seekers suffices.

I undertake to investigate this matter with a view to facilitating further engagements by the Labour Ofiice with the people concerned,” he said.

Meanwhile Mr Mabeo said information obtained from the labour movement shows that only Botswana Wholesale, Furniture and General Union had employed one person with disability in their secretarial office, and no trade union had employed persons living with albinism.

Specially elected MP, Mr Mephato Reatile had asked the minister if he was aware that companies contracted by the Jwaneng Mine sometimes brought employees from outside including unskilled labourers whilst other queue at the labour offices waiting to be employed by the companies.

Mr Reatile had also asked the minister if he was aware that the job- seekers were planning a mass demonstration to show their displeasure and furthermore he wanted to know when the minister intended to meet with the concerned people to avert the demonstrations.

Mr Reatile had further asked the minister to provide a list of Labour Unions in Botswana that have employed people living with albinism and other disabilities in their secretarial office, in adherence to the country target of the United Nations  Sustainable Development Goal No.8 of Decent Work and Economic Growth  for all. Ends