23 Feb 2023

Parliament has heard that 915 trade disputes were reported at the Lobatse district labour office in the last three years.

This was revealed by Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Ms Annah Mokgethi in response to a question in Parliament on Wednesday.

Ms Mokgethi said trade disputes registered comprised several issues which included unauthorised deductions, failure to pay severance benefits, wages and leave as well as suspension, unfair termination, repatriation, underpayment, sick leave and overtime.

Other issues, she said included, among others, paid public holidays, rest periods, allowances, trade union recognition, maternity leave, certificate of service, unfair labour practice, ill treatment, payment for working during rest days, failure to provide work and gratuity.

She added that out of the 915 registered trade disputes, 229 were resolved over the same period and closed.

The minister further told Parliament that Section 5 (4) of the Trade Dispute Act provided that mediation be directed towards helping parties to the disputes to reach a settlement of the dispute principally by their own efforts and helping the parties on the incorporation of the terms of settlement into the agreement or collective agreement.

“Based on the above stated section, the mediator in resolving dispute or cases does not make a judgment or determination in favour of either party. 

Instead the mediator plays a neutral role to assist both parties to arrive at a resolution of dispute,” she said.

Lobatse Member of Parliament, Dr Thapelo Matsheka had asked the minister to state the number of employment and labour grievances reported to the Lobatse Labour Office over the past three years, types of disputes reported as well as the number of those resolved in favour of employees against employer. ENDs