30 Mar 2021

Since commencement of its operations in Botswana, Barminco Mining Services has employed a total of 341 people, out of which 244 are citizens and 97 are non-citizens. 

This was said by the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Ms Peggy Serame on behalf of the Minister of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development in Parliament on Monday. 

Ms Serame said Barminco Mining Services had dismissed 18 employees, 17 of whom were dismissed during probationary period.  “Currently there are no employees on suspension,” she said.

Minister Serame further explained that positions included among others; machine operators, labourers and administration assistant and reasons for the termination of their contracts ranged from  resignations, termination on probation, desertion from work to end of contracts. 

She explained that any job loss in this country was a great concern for the Ministry. 

“I do understand that in every employment relationship, conflict is inevitable and sometimes it leads to the breakdown in relationships,” she said.

The minister said the ministry carried out labour inspections and spot checks to promote peaceful industrial relations and social dialogue among employers and employees in order to avoid incidences that could lead to irrevocable breakdown of the employment relationship. 

 Where social dialogue was unable to yield results, she said,  emphasis was on lawful or fair termination.

She told Parliament that the labour inspectors accompanied by other law enforcement officers carried out a spot check at Khoemacau Mine on November 20, 2020, after which corrective action, including charging some non-citizens who were found violating conditions of their work permits, was taken. 

Minister Serame was responding to a question from Selebi Phikwe West MP, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse who had asked the Minister of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development to state the number of Batswana who had been suspended or dismissed at Barminco since it commenced operations at Khoemacau.

Mr Keorapetse also wanted to know their positions and offences allegedly committed and whether he was not perturbed by the situation.  Ends