A minimum wage is the lowest amount a worker can be paid hourly determined by law and paying an individual below the minimum wage is illegal. When opposition the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) set the minimum wage at P3,000 in its 2019 General Election manifesto, many within the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) felt the figure was not feasible and had the potential to collapse the economy and lead to job losses. ‘Lea go a tsaa kae?’ (Where are you going to get the money from?) was the BDP’s question at the time. However, this week President Mokgweetsi Masisi confirmed during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) that the new minimum wages will be reviewed before the end of this financial year. He said government representatives, the labour movement and representatives of the business community have under tripartite arrangement concluded on the issue of minimum wages. “The tripartite has considered factors of inflation, the buying power and other economic factors in their conclusions. As is required by law, they have submitted recommendations to the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs for consideration and finality,” Masisi said.
In 2022 government adjusted the minimum wage rates by 8.4 percent across the board. The minimum wages rates for domestic and agricultural sectors were adjusted to P1,084 per month while most industries were adjusted to P7.34 per hour. Although government has not revealed how much is going to be set as the minimum wage, this week Labour and Home Affairs minister, Anna Mokgethi reiterated Masisi’s SONA announcement when she revealed that the Minimum Wage Advisory Board, convened on August 10, 2023, September 13, 2023 and October 31, 2023 to consider the adjustment of the minimum wages rate. “The tripartite have considered factors of inflation, the buying power and other economic factors in their conclusions. As is required by law, I have received their recommendations for consideration. The intention is to adjust the minimum wages rates before the end of this financial year,” Mokgethi told Parliament.
