15 Sep 2013

The Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) will no longer be funded through appropriations from Parliament.

Speaking at a wellness day in Selebi Phikwe recently, the Assistant Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Mr Vincent Seretse said instead, the organisation has been allowed to retain a portion of the revenue collection to fund its operations.

Mr Seretse noted that government had approved the new funding model for BURS, which was being implemented in the 2013/2014 financial year.

He said his ministry hopes that with the prospect of improved funding, BURS would be able to upgrade its facilities and address welfare issues so as to create a conducive work environment for its employees.

“BURS has continued to operate without adequate resources, which has seriously impacted the organisation’s ability to accomplish some desired outcomes,” he said.

For example, he said, BURS has not been able to fully address concerns about staff welfare issues, such as shortage of office and residential accommodation for staff especially those officers stationed at border posts.

He said old, dilapidated and potentially unsafe buildings were evident at BURS offices and something needed to be done about the situation.

However, the Assistant Minister commended the organisation because since its inception, it has met and in some years surpassed the tax collection targets set by the government.

“This is indeed an impressive and laudable achievement. The impressive performance of Revenue Service could not have materialised without the concerted effort of both BURS Management and staff in executing the BURS mandate through a healthy workforce,” he stressed.

He said government has put in place various pieces of legislation to address issues of employee health and safety.

Mr Seretse noted that some of the issues under legislation include ‘The Workman’s Compensation Act’, which requires employers to compensate employees who incur work-related injuries.

In addition, he said the Radiation Protection Act, which provides a framework for handling radioactive materials at the work place to prevent health risks, has also been introduced.     

“The latter piece of legislation is particularly critical for BURS because in 2011 the organisation procured X-ray containers scanners to assist in its enforcement work.

The operations of such machines must confirm to the radiation protection standards in order to ensure the health and safety of the BURS employees who operate them,” he said.

For his part, BURS  commissioner general, Mr Ken Morris said BURS decided to hold wellness events on a rotational basis around the country in every region instead of having them centered in Gaborone.

Mr Morris pointed out that the main objective of wellness events was to promote health and safety at the workplaces. He explained that in order for an organisation to reach its objectives, it needed to have a healthy and productive workforce.

During the event, the BURS donated sports and recreation equipment that will be utilised by officers stationed at border posts.  Ends