11 Nov 2026

The implementation of the National Occupational Safety and Health Policy is ongoing, Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Major Pius Mokgware, has told Parliament.

Major Mokgware said the policy seeks to provide a clear strategic framework and direction for establishing and strengthening systems that promote safe and healthy workplaces.

He acknowledged that there was no specific local legislative provision making it mandatory for construction companies to recruit or appoint safety officers.

“It is true that there is no specific local legislative provision that expressly makes the recruitment or appointment of safety officers mandatory in the construction industry,” he said.

He, however, said occupational safety and health (OSH) in the construction industry was regulated under the Factories Act and the Factories, (Building Operations and Works of Engineering Construction Safety) Regulations.

Despite the legislative gap, Major Mokgware said the Ministry continued to encourage construction companies to employ qualified and competent safety officers to oversee the implementation of OSH requirements and safeguard the health, safety and welfare of employees.

He said the Ministry, through its Department of Occupational Health and Safety, also continued to conduct statutory safety and health inspections across various sectors of the economy, with particular attention to high-risk sectors such as construction.

On the recruitment of more safety officers across government ministries, Major Mokgware said government recognised the importance of occupational safety and health expertise in ensuring compliance with safety requirements and protecting public officers.

He said the deployment of occupational safety and health personnel across ministries had to be considered within the broader framework of Public Service establishment and staffing requirements, adding that the responsibility was currently handled under the Safety, 

Health and Environment (SHE) portfolio.

“My Ministry will therefore continue to engage the relevant authorities, which is DPSM, on the need to strengthen occupational safety and health capacity within Government, including the provision of appropriately qualified personnel, to support effective implementation of occupational safety and health measures,” he said.

Major Mokgware was responding to a question from Tonota Member of Parliament, Mr Gaefele Sedombo, who had asked for an update on the implementation of Botswana’s Occupational Health and Safety Policy.

Mr Sedombo also wanted to know whether the Ministry was aware that safety officers employed by construction companies were not fully executing their mandate due to the absence of legislation compelling companies to recruit them.

He further asked when government would employ more safety officers across its ministries, citing the need for their expertise. ENDS