04 Mar 2014

Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Mr Edwin Batshu has confirmed that a workshop on basic labour laws was held at Tlotlo conference Centre on August 16 with 49 participants from 23 companies participating.

Responding to a parliamentary question from the MP for Gaborone West South Mr Botsalo Ntuane on Monday, March 3, Mr Batshu said 12 of these companies were from Gaborone West South Constituency.

He said 11 similar workshops were held in Orapa, Jwaneng, Francistown and Gaborone. From Gaborone West South Constituency 22 companies participated in these workshops, he added. 

The minister stated that the workshops targeted industrial relations managers/human resource managers, adding that the workshops of this nature were intended to enhance participants’ knowledge of labour laws and industrial relations generally. He said the workshops further helped to create a closer working relationship with the department for labour and social security.

“I therefore validate that subsequent to the workshops, worker/employer relations improved as evidenced by the low incidences of disputes from companies that participated in these workshops,” he said. 

MP Ntuane had asked the minister if the workshop on Basic Labour Laws that was scheduled for August 16 was held, and if so the minister was to state the number of companies in Gaborone West South constituency whose management attended the workshop.

He also wanted to know whether similar workshops were held subsequent to that one and if any companies in his constituency participated and if the companies allowed their employees to attend.

The legislator also asked whether subsequent to the said workshops, there were any noticeable improvements in worker/employer relations. ENDS