Africa-Press – Botswana. The business community in Maun has welcomed the Employment and Labour Relations Bill, which was passed by the current session of Parliament, as a step in the right direction to address a number of critical issues within the labour sector.
Business operators expressed their appreciation of the Bill during a meeting addressed by the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Major General Pius Mokgware to discuss labour issues in North West District and other issues needing attention of the labour and employment ministry.
While they appreciated that the Bill aimed to help promote decent work, safeguard workers’ rights and improve workers’ welfare, some business operators called for a mid-term review of the Bill to assess its impact once implemented.
They also called for a balance when addressing issues of unfair labour practice and abuse in the workplace arguing that the employer’s voice had to be heard as well.
Some employees, they said, made accusations against the employer whereas they were the ones on the wrong side hence the emphasis that both parties should be given opportunity to state their side of the story to ensure fair judgment.
Policy Advocacy and membership manager from Hospitality and Tourism Association Botswana (HATAB), Mr Dichaba Molobe also called on the government to ensure the law catered for interests of all sectors.
As such, he said they cannot have a one size fits all regulations because industries differed in operations.
Some operators expressed concerns over the delays in processing of works permits and business licenses, saying they end up losing critical personnel.
Dr Maxwell Nhlatho from Doctors Inn Health Centre said they experienced some difficulties in hiring people in his line of critical work as they needed sets of permits from Botswana Health Professional Council and the ministries of Labour and Health.
The process of hiring, he said was too long and some ended up giving up and he called on relevant ministries to find a quicker way to process permits to retain professionals.
Mr Kenson Kgaga of Naga Safaris also praised the Bill saying it would address issues faced by workers in the industry.
Some companies, he said had been operating for years but had failed to train the locals while some developed contracts that do not give workers dignity.
“Our industry should train more locals rather than calling people from outside to work as tour guides and that is the issues that birthed Botswana Guides Association to advocate for the interests of the locals in the industry,” he added.
Earlier, Major Gen. Mokgware explained that the Bill consolidated several existing labour laws into a single framework and the Bill would benefit both the employer and the employee as it aimed to strengthen their relationship and promote equality in the workplace.
The Act, he said protected the fundamental rights of workers by providing for measures to promote equality at a workplace and prevent any form of discrimination, violence and harassment in a workplace.
It also prohibits discrimination, violence and harassment of workers.
The gathering further that learnt that it provided for the establishement of the Independent Mediation and Arbitration Commission and its functions as well as proposed for an independent structure which would independently mediate on issues of labour.
Major Gen. Mokgware also urged the business community to play an active role in reducing the country’s high unemployment rate particularly among the youth.
“Unemployment is not a challenge to the government alone hence you should come on board and hire young people and pay them the maximum wage of P4,000. Together, we can create a more robust economy with increased employment opportunities for Batswana especially young people” he said.
He pointed out that there were a lot of graduates and urged the business community to absorb them either through internship so that they gained valuable work experience and eventually hire them.
Major Gen. Mokgware said the tourism sector had the potential to hire more youths and appealed to the industry captains to train and employ youth noting that the ministry had a list of graduates who qualified to work in the tourism industry.
The minister also encouraged employers to submit employment returns detailing their workforce statistics for the period October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024.
Submission date is from June 5 to August 31 and submissions are to be made to the nearest District Labour Office of at headquarters.
“Annual returns are important as amongst others they enable government to create informed policies that address unemployment, underemployment, and skill mismatches,” added Major Gen. Mokgware.
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