Bus, truck drivers denied rest despite labour law limits
Spira Tlhankane | Wednesday March 11, 2026 11:07
Responding to a question from Maun East Member of Parliament (MP) Goretetse Kekgonegile, Mokgware recently revealed that spot checks conducted by the ministry in the transport sector uncovered several labour violations, including some employers failing to grant drivers rest days.
Kekgonegile had asked the minister to brief the House on the outcomes of labour inspections within the long-distance buses industry in terms of challenges faced by workers and employers. Kekgonegile wanted the minister to put emphasis on, amongst others, the proposed changes in the Act governing the industry in terms of protection of workers against exhaustion from long hours and exploitation through low wages.
The minister told Parliament that some workers in the long-distance bus industry are required to work excessive hours, resulting in fatigue and raising concerns about worker welfare and road safety.
According to the minister, the challenges identified during inspections include failure to pay overtime, unauthorised salary deductions, disputes over severance benefits and the denial of rest days.
“These practices often lead to employees working excessive hours, which results in fatigue,” the minister emphasised. Mokgware said the revelations come despite the provisions of the Employment Act, which clearly state that an employee should not work more than nine hours in a day or more than 45 hours in a five-day working week.
“The Act further provides that any time worked in excess of nine hours per day or 45 hours per week must be compensated at an overtime rate calculated at one and a half times the employee’s normal hourly rate. With regards to remuneration, drivers are classified as skilled employees. As such, they are encouraged to negotiate and bargain for appropriate salaries and allowances commensurate with their skills, experience, and responsibilities,” he said.
Mokgware added that the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs has recorded a number of disputes relating to working hours and remuneration. He said the causes of non-compliance are varied and include a lack of understanding of labour legislation, misinterpretation of the Employment Act, and, in some instances, exploitative practices by unscrupulous employers.
He explained that although the ministry has not yet conducted a comprehensive inspection specifically targeting the long-distance bus sub-sector, labour inspectors have been carrying out spot checks to assess compliance.
He said the ministry has also been engaging both employers and employees, including trade unions, to strengthen adherence to labour laws within the sector. 'The Botswana government has enacted significant legal reform through the Employment and Labour Relations Act of 2025, which protects fundamental rights and principles in the world of work. The developers and drafters of the regulations have taken into consideration issues raised by the MP for Maun East,” Mokgware indicated.
Despite these reforms, concerns remain that long-distance bus and truck drivers continue to face difficult working conditions, particularly concerning long working hours and the denial of adequate rest.
Labour experts have often warned that driver fatigue not only threatens the well-being of workers but could also compromise passenger safety on Botswana’s roads.