15 Feb 2024

A total of 45 094 labour violations were reported in the last five years, says Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Ms Anna Mokgethi.

She informed Parliament that the five sectors with the largest number of reported cases were retail, security companies, construction sector and hotels, catering and entertainment sector.  

Ms Mokgethi said her ministry was aware that security guards, shop assistants and cleaners tended to be undermined by their employers in labour matters.

She said among the reported labour disputes were late payments, unfair dismissal and failure by employers to respect or implement rulings of mediation.

“This is observed through labour inspections and the dispute resolution process. To that effect, my ministry conducts labour inspections across sectors to ensure compliance to labour laws. Where there are violations, necessary action is taken and this may include penalties as prescribed in the Employment Act,” she said.

Furthermore, Ms Mokgethi said her ministry had collaborated with other stakeholders for a holistic approach to the matters at hand through joint labour inspections.

She said the approach had resulted in rejection, non-renewal or cancellation   of licenses and permits of those who contravened the law.

“This approaching is yielding results as employers find themselves under obligation to comply to the law in order to get the necessary licenses or permits to operate their business,” she said.

Member of Parliament of Gaborone Central, Mr Tumisang Mangwegape - Healy had asked the minister to state the total number of reported labour violations for each of the five years (between 2019 and 2023), and the top five sectors with the largest number of reported labour violations reported.

Mr Mangwegape-Healy also asked the minister if she was aware that security guards, shop assistants and cleaners tended to be undermined by their employers in labour issues, among them late payments, unfair dismissal and failure by employers to respect or implement rulings from mediation.  ENDS