15 Jul 2026

Government’s policy to contain the public service wage bill limits the creation of new posts, resulting in the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture continuing to engage some employees on temporary or fixed-term contracts.

Responding to a Parliamentary question on Tuesday, Minister of Lands and Agriculture Dr Edwin Dikoloti said additional positions could only be created through rationalisation processes.

He explained that while functions performed might be of a continuous nature, appointment to the permanent and pensionable terms depended on the availability of approved positions within the approved establishment. 

Dr Dikoloti said this practice was consistent with the laws of Botswana, including the Employment Act 17(1) and Public Service Act 13 (c), which recognised fixed-term and temporary employment arrangements where circumstances demanded.

He explained that employees engaged on fixed-term contracts also enjoyed the rights and benefits provided for under the applicable labour legislation and the terms of their contracts.Mr Dikoloti, therefore, said the ministry created and filled permanent positions as and when additional positions were approved through the government Establishment Authority.

He said until positions were created and funded, the ministry continued to engage employees on temporary or fixed-term to ensure continuity in service delivery, enable the ministry to maintain operational flexibility, particularly in responding to seasonal and programme-based activities within the agricultural sector. 

Furthermore, Dr Dikoloti said these positions were not part of the government’s insourcing programme as per guidance provided by the Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM). However, Dr Dikoloti said government acknowledged that prolonged reliance on such arrangements raised concerns to job security, conditions of service and broader principle of decent work and human dignity.

 He therefore said the ministry was working with DPSM to ensure that employment practices remained aligned with national labour standards and continued to safeguard workers’ rights. 

Also, Dr Dikoloti said the ministry was engaging relevant central agencies, including the Ministry of Finance and DPSM to secure the necessary approvals and resources as and when opportunities arose.

He was responding to a question from the MP for Okavango East, Mr Gabatshole Disho, who had asked the Minister to apprise Parliament on why the ministry continued to employ a significant number of workers on temporary and fixed-term contract.

Mr Disho wanted to know whether the practice was consistent with labour laws and fair labour security, decent work and human dignity. 

Additionally, Mr Disho asked the minister when the ministry intended to review the practice and what measures were in place to regularise the employment status of long serving temporary employees. ENDS