27 Aug 2020

Some freelancers in the tourism industry handed  a petition to Maun Administrative Authority deputy district commissioner on Wednesday.

Through the petition, the freelancers who are mostly professionals, requested the Minister of Environment, Natural Resources and Tourism to assist them because they were struggling to survive since the COVID-19 pandemic had paralysed the tourism industry.

They called for a wage subsidy to relieve workers from economic effects of the pandemic.

The freelancers used to make a living through game drives, bush walks and boat cruises among other things.

They stated that they once engaged the minister telephonically on their matter and she promised to meet them, but that did not materialise since she was held up with other work commitments.

In an interview after submission of the petition, one of the freelancers, Mr Baliki Gaotlhobogwe stated that they had long requested the district leadership’s intervention on the matter around April, but nothing was coming up.

Life, he said was unbearable because they lacked basic needs such as food and money for rented accommodation.

Mr Gaotlhobogwe said government had neglected them even though they were key stakeholders in the tourism industry, adding that ‘we are the engine of the industry because we are the ones who are selling the country’s tourism to the international community’.

Another freelancer, Mr Ntsholetsang Mosarwa, concurred that life was tough and they were struggling to look after their families.

He said they wished government could listen to their plea, adding that they were left out in the cold, while others benefited from the wage subsidy.

Mr Mosarwa said they had long raised their concerns with the relevant authorities, but there was no positive response.

He pleaded with government to assist them through the COVID-19 wage subsidy just like others employed in both the tourism industry and other sectors of the economy.

Mr Modisaotsile Samati shared the same sentiments, saying their welfare was paramount, adding that some people, had lost jobs while some had suspended their income generating activities in response to the pandemic.

He said it was a pity that they did not benefit from the COVID-19 social relief even though they did not have any source of income.

He wished the government could assist them with food hampers, while waiting for the industry to recover.ENDS