Africa-Press – Botswana. The need for a thorough review of labour laws has been emphasised by council chairperson of Good Hope, Mr Gofaone Nkwane. Mr Nkwane highlighted that existing legislation inadvertently facilitated the exploitation of workers in the non-formal sector, particularly within agriculture.
The call for reform was prompted by recent revelations from residents of Mabule and Sekhutlane, who expressed concerns during a series of kgotla meetings addressed by the Minister for State President, Mr Moeti Mohwasa, and centered around allegations of abuse by farm employers at Banyana Farms.
Following several site visits to farms in the district aimed at addressing workers’ grievances, Mr Nkwane noted that employers often exploit legislative loopholes for their own benefit.
“Farm workers continue to face abuse because, unlike other sectors, they do not work fixed hours,” he stated.
Workers at Banyana Farms reported being abruptly woken in the middle of the night to offload feeds for animals, without receiving overtime pay or safety gear. Such demands have led to disputes, frequently resulting in employees being dismissed for refusing to comply.
Many workers lack formal contracts or documentation confirming their employment status.
Mr Nkwane emphasised the urgent need for lawmakers to identify and close these legal gaps. “If these issues are not addressed, farm workers will continue to be exploited for the foreseeable future,” he warned.
The district leadership calls for legislative interventions to protect vulnerable labourers and ensure their rights are upheld.
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