10 Dec 2023

Delegates at the 2023 Botswana Mine Workers Union elective congress held in Francistown have been informed that the review of labour laws is at an advanced stage. 

Addressing delegates on Thursday, the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Ms Annah Mokgethi said consultations within the tripartite labour law review committee have been concluded. 

She explained that government internal processes were ongoing and the laws would be finalised and adopted by March next year. 

The minister also informed delegates that the review of the Occupational Health and Safety laws as well as Compensations Act and the Factories Act were ongoing. 

She said two Occupational Health and Safety conventions had been elevated to the fundamentals conventions. She said the review of the Occupational Health and Safety laws therefore represented a good opportunity to take on board the principle and aspirations of these conventions, which also prepared the ground for ratification. 

In addition, Ms Mokgethi said the Occupational Health and Safety policy was at an advanced stage. She said the tripartite consultations have been concluded, adding that several policies had to be formulated. 

She said these include labour inspection policy, labour migration policy, and the social protection segment. 

Ms Mokgethi said because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it became evident that there was an urgent need for the establishment of a social protection system to cushion employers and employees in times of need. 

She explained that the tripartite committee was working on coming up with a social protection system for the world of work. 

In addition, the minister proposed that labour laws should enhance existing social protection provisions in the Employment Act. 

She said the proposal provides for, amongst others, the introduction of paternity leave, compassionate leave, hospitalisation leave, and maternity provisions in alignment with international standards. 

She also informed the delegates that the integrated administration policy would also be an overarching policy on labour administration. 

She said this would have various labour administration systems for ease of implementation and coordination. 

She also highlighted that Botswana adopted a national employment policy in 2021. “This policy provides legal and institutional framework for coordination of employment creation activities carried out by various authorities and bodies,” she noted. Regarding international obligations, the minister stated that Botswana continued to abide by the international obligations with regard to hosting meetings, participation, and submissions of reports and subscriptions.

 In his welcome remarks, Francistown Deputy Mayor, Mr Lesego Kwambala said the city of Francistown is uniquely positioned to be a gateway to tourism destinations and regional integration as well as a gateway to the rest of Botswana and the greater Southern African region. In addition, Mr Kwambala noted that there are untapped opportunities in terms of developing the city's infrastructure and services. 

Overall, Mr Kwambala was optimistic about the potential of Francistown to become a thriving centre for economic growth. 

“The decision by the Botswana Mine Workers Union to hold the elective congress in Francistown is indeed a sound one, as the city is deeply connected to the mining sector. Not only will this event bring the much needed economic activity to the city, but it will also highlight the importance of Francistown as a hub for the mining sector,” he disclosed. ENDS