10 Sep 2026

The Botswana's Employment and Labour Relations Act of 2025 came into effect on September 1, replaces three older and separate laws.

The laws, replaced by one single framework are the Employment Act, the Trade Unions and Employers’ Organisations Act, and the Trade Disputes Act.

This was revealed by Commissioner of Labour, Ms Veronica Moloko during the Serowe district full council meeting on Wednesday.

Ms Moloko told councillors that Botswana's new Employment and Labour Relations Act is a comprehensive reform that did not only consolidates previous legislation and aligns with International Labour Standards.

The law, she said modernised the labour law framework by covering employment status, collective bargaining and dispute resolution and new provisions for fixed-term workers, domestic workers, and the informal sector.

Under the new law, fixed-term contracts will be limited to 12 months unless there is a clear reason for a longer time. Probation is capped at a maximum of 6 months while Maternity leave increases to 14 weeks at 70 per cent pay. The law also introduces five days of paternity leave, 10 weeks of adoption leave, 20 days of hospitalisation leave, and three days of family responsibility leave.

She further said the Act was against sexual harassment and added broad protections against discrimination based on gender, HIV status and disability.

“Under the new law, salaries must be paid on time, with strict penalties for non-payment, expected to strengthen employee protection,” she said.

Commenting, most councillors queried about shortage of labour inspectors in Serowe.

Councillor Thabo Mothologi of Mogatsapoo ward in Serowe said there were many foreigners in their area working without work permits and that some employees working in some Chinese shops were not allowed to use cellphones while at work and were forced to stand the whole day without a break.

He also complained that renewal of Omang cards was taking time in Serowe.

Nominated Councillor, Ms Neo Molefe was concerned about many labour disputes cases, which were not resolved.

She said herd boys and house maids were mostly the ones bearing the brunt of these bad labour practices. ENDS