Batshu is misguided on foreign workers
Mmegi Editor | Thursday April 23, 2015 17:56
The infrastructure that the economic growth gave birth to, due to engagement of migrant workers from neighbouring states is still in South Africa to this day. In fact, South Africa’s economy is where it is today because of foreign workers. Half a century after we gained our independence, we still import maize, vegetables, and other foodstuff from South Africa.
It is therefore important that those Batswana who are trying to produce food for this country should be allowed to employ as many people as possible, including migrant workers.
It is disappointing for the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Edwin Batshu, to be stuck in the past thinking that local business people, particularly in the farming sector should not employ foreigners. It is an obvious thing that many Batswana are not interested in working in farms. The few who end up there hardly stay. Often, their separation with employers is a nasty one after quarrels over poor work ethics.
The same can be said about domestic workers – maids. Many Batswana would prefer to starve at home than work for a fellow Motswana as a house help. In the few cases where Batswana maids work for their compatriots, there is always that animosity because of poor working relations, with the maid thinking that she cannot be controlled.
It is therefore important for the minister to desist from thinking that the above mentioned jobs should only be left to Batswana when in fact Batswana are not interested in them.
Perhaps the minister should establish a training institute for Batswana who are eligible for these jobs to train, or engage in an exercise that will change the mindset of the poor of our society and show them that they can improve their lives through these unwanted jobs. Developed countries are where they are because they utilised the available opportunities.
TODAY’S THOUGHT
“The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.
[State of the Union Address January 11 1962]”
― John F. Kennedy