03 Mar 2026

Members of Parliament have hailed the new Employment and Labour Relations Act (ELRA) of 2025 as a progressive milestone that will end the delays in workplace dispute resolutions. Debating the 2026/27 budget estimates for the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs on Monday, legislators argued that the establishment of an independent Mediation and Arbitration Commission aligned Botswana with international labour standards and would provide the needed relief to employees awaiting severance and benefit payouts. 

The Act, officially designated as ELRA No. 27 of 2025, was passed by Parliament and assented to. Regulations are currently being developed and expected to be finalised before the end of this month to pave the way for full implementation. 

Legislators emphasised that the new Mediation and Arbitration Commission was a critical structure designed to reduce the backlog of cases currently clogging the court system. 

By streamlining the process for severance and labour grievances, government aimed to create a more stable industrial relations environment. 

Supporting the ministry’s proposed budget, Mogoditshane East MP, Mr Letlhogonolo Barongwang, raised a concern over private sector welfare and thus called on government to establish a mandatory pension fund for the entire private sector to protect employees who currently retired without a safety net. 

Mr Barongwang also noted that the move toward 24-hour border services was a positive step for the 24-hour economy, which he believed would stimulate growth for small businesses in his constituency. 

However, he cautioned government to be vigilant against fraudsters who might attempt to exploit the extended hours.

 Bobirwa MP, Mr Taolo Lucas focused on the living wage, noting that Batswana were still waiting for the promised P4 000 minimum, particularly in the retail and construction sectors. Mr Lucas implored the minister to provide a clear timeline for its implementation. 

He also highlighted several localised grievances, saying in Bobirwa, an ex-miners’ association had profiled members awaiting compensation, yet only eight out of 1 000 had been assisted thus far. 

He added that farm or ranch workers remained highly exploited and further urged the ministry to resolve cases where companies used rolling one-month contracts to deny employees their rightful benefits. 

Molepolole North MP, Mr Arafat Khan, called for faster turnaround times for Omang (ID) issuance as well as revitalisation of the Molepolole library, which he described as a white elephant in its current state. 

In Tati West, MP Justin Hunyepa expressed relief over Citizenship Act amendments aimed at addressing statelessness. Mr Hunyepa pointed out that in his 27 villages, many children were denied basic rights and schooling due to their status. 

To combat illegal immigration, he suggested the establishment of a formal border gate in Mbalambi. He also called for harmonisation of labour offices across the country so that people did not travel long distances to towns for services. 

Mmadinare MP, Mr Ketlhalefile Motshegwa, echoed the same sentiments, adding that the National Migration Policy was essential for facilitating foreign nationals who wished to contribute to the country’s growth. 

Mr Motshegwa also welcomed the establishment of the Mediation and Arbitration Commission which he said was important for sound industrial relations. 

Kgatleng East MP, Mr Mabuse Pule welcome the profiling of families for compliance with the Citizenship Act requisites. Mr Pule also expressed delight over compensation of ex-minors and further asked the minister to update on the law to regularise migrants.

 Responding to the debate, labour and home affairs minister, Major General Pius Mokgware’s stance on labour violations was firm, stating that failing to pay an employee was a criminal offence that would not be tolerated.

 Minister Mokgware warned that non-compliant businesses, especially in the security sector, should close their doors, noting that the ministry was liaising with contracting entities to ensure that workers were paid. 

The minister also shared that they collaborating with the Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs to train young people in languages for international translation work. On inclusive citizenship, he said certain barriers such as the Setswana proficiency requirement, needed to be removed to make the citizenship process more accommodative for essential labourers and herdsmen. 

He further told legislators that the ministry was committed to capacitate libraries nationwide to ensure that they served as functional hubs for learners in rural communities. ENDS