02 Mar 2023

Any employer paying below the minimum wage for any sector as prescribed by the law is liable to penalties as prescribed by Section 151 of the Employment Act. Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Ms Annah Mokgethi said this when responding to a parliamentary question on Wednesday.

“Employers remain at liberty to realise the value that their employees bring to the business and reward them accordingly,” Minister Mokgethi said.

She indicated that the Minimum Wages Advisory Board, comprising representatives of government, business workers and independent society members, convened as directed by the minister to consider adjustment of minimum wage rates in terms of Section 132 of the Employment Act.

She said the board met in 2021 on February 22, October 7 and November 3, where recommendations were made for adjustment of minimum wages by 8.4 per cent across the board for all sectors for the 2021/2022 financial year, in order to cushion employees against inflation for industries, which were covered by minimum wage regulations.

“Before making recommendations, the Ministry of Finance facilitates the board by presenting a detailed paper on Botswana’s Micro Economic Outlook.

The paper also assists the board to reflect on issues pertaining to the level of wages and employer’s ability to pay, amongst other things,” she explained.

She added that the board made recommendations after considering economic factors, the cost of living, social security benefits and other relevant matters.

Ms Mokgethi, however, noted that the ministry was reviewing labour laws to accommodate decent work, which would allow the commissioner to be empowered to set industrial sector councils, which would grant for bargaining per sector.

Francistown West legislator, Mr Ignatius Moswaane, had asked the minister what government had done to prove that private sector salaries were considered annually when government made salary adjustments of its employees. Mr Moswaane also wanted to know when the last increment was and why private sector salaries were low. ENDS