Labour Officers Request Aircraft

By Ephraim Keoreng
Staff Writer | Monday April 19, 2010 00:00

Speaking at a meeting of the ministry's labour officers in Gaborone at the Mass Media complex, Goitseone Kokorwe, said that at the moment officers might be compromised as they go into the camps to inspect and find out the state of labour relations between lodge owners, tour operators and their employees.

At the moment, they depend on transportation provided by business operators and this creates an opportunity for corruption to fester, she said.

The area is not accessible by ground transportation, hence the need to use light aircraft.

'When you go there they fly you in their aeroplane, accommodate you and even feed you. How do you conduct a proper inspection and write an objective report in that situation? It is difficult as the officers are embedded.

'I know it is expensive, but for quality service it is important that we have our own aircraft. I am urging the leadership of the ministry to consider buying it so that we do our job properly without being compromised,' she said.

Kokorwe also called for the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs to make public the names of the officers who were found guilty of corruption, saying this will help to clear the perception that the labour department is a corrupt entity that is reluctant to fight corruption.

'Since 2000 when I started working here. I have never heard talk that action has been taken against a corrupt officer. We are tired of always being told in public that 'these labour officers are corrupt'. I think we need to name and shame the wrongdoers,' she said. She also said that they are often compelled to deal with one company in response to continuous complaints, and this may give people the impression that they seek bribes.

She said at one Asian company in Gaborone, when they visited it for the third time 'one of the company bosses, amazed that we were coming for the third consecutive week, asked us if we needed something beyond our job calling, suggesting that we might be trying to solicit a bribe,' she said.

Dimpoetse Keolefile, a regional officer, also complained that public perception of labour officers is that they are a corrupt lot who have made it part of their work to take bribes, especially from employers.

'I once even heard one client saying in my presence that 'ibaaba ba no tengwa - these officers are for sale'. She thought that I didn't understand the language but it really shows that expectations are low from the public that we can provide quality service,' she said.

In response, the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Peter Siele, said he also shares the view that all corrupt officers must be brought to book.

Regarding the plea that the ministry purchase an aircraft, he replied that an officer could still remain objective and carry out their duties without leaning on the side of business owners just because they provide air transport and other perks.

'We once went to Okavango and the plane, catering and accommodation was organised by HATAB (Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana) but we did our job without fear or favour. We addressed employees after and they told us frankly their concerns.

'Then we went to Maun and told hotel and lodge owners to make better conditions for workers. We have to act within the framework of the law, every time,' he said.