Mywage.org/Botswana

How do labour rights score in Botswana

Botswana is home to a population of over 2.5 million people, 1.1 million of whom are employed in the labour force. Though it is an upper-middle income country in southern Africa with a GDP per capita of $6805 in 2021, Botswana still faces challenges related to poverty, with its poverty rate in 2009 being 19.3%.

There are similar issues in access to decent work, as highlighted in WageIndicator’s Labour Rights Index. It had a composite score of 42 in the 2022 LRI, down from 49 in the 2020 LRI. While it scored well on Safe Work and restrictions on Child and Forced Labour, scoring 75/100 on both counts, it performed very poorly on employment security (0/100), maternity at work (0/100), employment security (25/100), and freedom of association (25/100). 

To improve the quality of life for its citizens, the Botswana government needs to address these issues and work towards creating more job opportunities while promoting better working conditions for all. Learn more about the Labour Rights Index of Botswana and the specific areas of concern in the country.

Protection in the workplace

A trade union is one of the most common means for workers to protect themselves against exploitation. Did you know that Botswana's government officially allows the formation of trade unions, and employees cannot be dismissed for doing so? Learn more about Trade Union Laws in Botswana.  

 

Sick Leave

In Botswana, the government mandates that an employee who has completed one year of continuous employment is entitled to 14 working days of sick leave per year. To avail of sick leave, the employee must inform the employer as soon as possible. If an employee misses work for more than one day, a doctor's certificate is required. During paid sick leave, the employee should be compensated with their current basic pay for each day. Know more about the laws surrounding Sick Leave in Botswana.

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