Job creation: The BOPEU perspective
BOPEU’s Edward Tswaipe
An innovative use of pension and provident funds and innovative tax incentives to release capital for private and social investments, promotion of co-operatives, mainstreaming of youth bias in job creation, incentives for skills export to create high end job opportunities, job retention strategies and for employment intensive macro-economic policy framework are collectively, a panacea for making more and better jobs possible in Botswana, according to BOPEU.
Speaking on behalf of BOPEU President, Andrew Motsamai, BOPEU’s Edward Tswaipe told the just ended Annual Botswana Job Summit that government must abandon its conservative macro-economic policy and utilize a handsome portion of the P50 billion worth of pension funds held by Botswana Public Officers Fund (BPOPF) must be utilized locally through government borrowing to finance infrastructure and large scale investment projects to create decent jobs through deepening of the domestic capital markets.
Serious consideration could also be given to implementing the recommendations of the 2008 study conducted by Keith Jefferies for Finmark Trust that a statutory consolidation of private sector retirement industry funds would yield huge benefits to the economy in terms of expanding domestic financial markets, guaranteeing social protection for all; and reducing the burden of private insurance firms which are already contributing to private pension funds for their employees. The study further recommended that firms’ mandatory contributions to social insurance be diverted to a broad based pension scheme covering the whole private sector.
BOPEU is further advocating for mandatory workers’ insurance, compulsory pension funds and other mandatory employment benefits, such as maternity benefits that are to be consolidated into a National Social Security Fund (NSSF) contributed by employers, employees and government, which in 20 years could worth well over P100-P200 billion in pension and workers’ insurance fund.
The fund could also include paternity allowances and unemployment benefits. Government was hypocritical by not borrowing funds from pension fund to finance infrastructural development and it was wrong for her to lead a Fund belonging to workers while denying them as rightful owners the right to influence investment decisions on how their money is used.
There was need for targeted and creative use of tax incentives and youth job subsidies to sentivitise youth employment creation since tax credits are increasingly being adopted by most countries to promote both investment and entrepreneurship and at the same time tackle the challenges of unemployment and sluggish economic growth.
Two similar programmes (NIP and GVS) are wrongly conceptualized as youth empowerment schemes rather active labour market policies because they lack the tax element embedded in their design.
Youth wage subsidies and tax credits are used worldwide as a means to increase absorption of young people into the labour market and are supported by the ILO. However, there was a danger that such subsidies could be abused and suffer the disadvantage of becoming part of the labour market flexibility and vulnerability challenges. Employers tend to use young entrants as cheap labour to displace other workers and avoid associated mandatory labour costs.
Tax incentives are also demand driven and do not adequately address fundamental causes of structural unemployment such as poor skills, limited experience and so on and points to education as the only sustainable means to labour market absorption.
The problem of youth unemployment was structural and a function of the failure of the education system to produce adequate, appropriate skills(supply) and insufficiency of labour demand due to low growth, high skills, productivity requirements and high wage expectations.
Similarly no consideration has been made to capitalise on non-Profit Organizations such as trade unions, co-operatives and NGOs as potential job creators and no comprehensive study with the exception of that of Kalusope (2013), was ever conducted on the financial and fixed asset holdings of trade unions.
Yet, the total trade union asset holding may be in excess of P300 million with possible monthly subscriptions of more than P10 million, excluding the income from their profit making investment arms.
Co-operatives also have a similar pattern of assets and income generation, especially the Savings and Credit Coops (SACCOS) but tend to remain stuck in marketing, multipurpose cops and SACCOS. NGOs also handle massive donor funding which could be better managed and controlled.
BOPEU is advocating for a deliberate policy mainstreaming skills development in public investment contracts in the manner of the 1070s localization policy, youth bias in job creation in the way of affirmative action, deliberate massive investment in industry relevant TEVET programmes.
The rationale for this is that in the long run, a demand relevant TEVET programme would position young people competitively for sustainable absorption and recommend that programme design should go beyond youth empowerment schemes to into ALMPs linked to the education system. Sustainability would require integration into the overarching development strategy such as industrialization strategy and not in mere disbursement of funds.
Botswana should also look into exporting skills of its technicians and professionals where it is experience an excess in supply but who are in short supply in other countries because while there are shortages in some areas there are excess in others, rather than to retrain and accept misallocated employment and underemployment.
The strategy to create jobs without an accompanying strategy to retain them is an evidence of unsustainability and BOPEU recommends job retention as an innovation embedded and mainstreamed in all job creation strategies.
Retention should be about strengthening labour market regulation and integrating industrial relations into the job retention strategy. An issue of concern is job losses due to retrenchments where the Commissioner of Labour issues a certificate upon mere pleading of bankruptcy or weak financials.
Instead it should be that a company that seeks to retrench workers should be subjecting itself to further scrutiny to substantiate its claim. A law should create a Commission made up of industry and financial experts to investigate operational requirements and report to the Commissioner before any large scale redundancy could be considered.
Part of the job creation strategy should also entail reclaiming jobs being lost to other countries through hosting o management decisions and hubbing of activities where for instance, in the banking industry, a hub is created elsewhere in places like Kenya, Zimbabwe or South Africa, yet the company would be making its biggest profits from Botswana.”Common sense dictates that the hub should be where the business is, unless there are compelling reasons otherwise”.
In the case of retailing, local managers are being subordinated to lower ranking supervisors in Johannesburg or Cape Town for the most mundane of decisions, while in the tourism industry, group bookings to the Okavango delta are made from Johannesburg or London and payments made into foreign accounts before accessing the service in Botswana.
BOPEU wants the review of employment intensity of growth and investment and recommend the dominance of bias in monetary and fiscal policy towards more and better jobs, where employment is the means to translate growth in a sustainable route out of poverty and inequality. A long delayed National Employment Policy (NEP) should be brought to parliament as promised with targets has to integrated into National Development Plans, with decent work as a cross cutting theme.
Policy makers must jettison the misconception that to create jobs less attention should be paid to decent work and the quality of those jobs including tenure, decent wages, compliance with labour standards, social security, job retention, minimum wages, collective bargaining, EPL and mandatory benefits should be part of the equation.
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19 Bokamoso Private Hospital nurses graduate at Lenmed Nursing College
The graduation of 19 nurses from Bokamoso Private Hospital at Lenmed Nursing College marks a significant milestone in their careers. These nurses have successfully completed various short learning programs, including Adult Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Nursing Care, Anaesthetic & Recovery Room Nursing, Anaesthetic Nursing, and Recovery Room Nursing. The ceremony, held in Gaborone, was a testament to their hard work and dedication.
Lenmed Nursing College, a renowned healthcare group with a presence in South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, and Ghana, has been instrumental in providing quality education and training to healthcare professionals. The Group Head of Operations, Jayesh Parshotam, emphasized the importance of upskilling nurses, who are at the forefront of healthcare systems. He also expressed his appreciation for the partnerships with Bokamoso Private Hospital, the Ministry of Health, and various health training institutes in Botswana.
Dr. Morrison Sinvula, a consultant from the Ministry of Health, commended Lenmed Health and Lenmed Nursing College for their commitment to the education and training of these exceptional nurses. He acknowledged their guidance, mentorship, and support in shaping the nurses’ careers and ensuring their success. Dr. Sinvula also reminded the graduates that education does not end here, as the field of healthcare is constantly evolving. He encouraged them to remain committed to lifelong learning and professional development, embracing new technologies and staying updated with the latest medical advancements.
Dr. Gontle Moleele, the Superintendent of Bokamoso Private Hospital, expressed her excitement and pride in the graduating class of 2023. She acknowledged the sacrifices made by these individuals, who have families and responsibilities, to ensure their graduation. Dr. Moleele also thanked Lenmed Nursing College for providing this opportunity to the hospital’s nurses, as it will contribute to the growth of the hospital.
The certificate recipients from Bokamoso Private Hospital were recognized for their outstanding achievements in their respective programs. Those who received the Cum Laude distinction in the Adult Intensive Care Unit program were Elton Keatlholwetse, Lebogang Kgokgonyane, Galaletsang Melamu, Pinkie Mokgosi, Ofentse Seboletswe, Gorata Basupi, Bareng Mosala, and Justice Senyarelo. In the Emergency Nursing Care program, Atlanang Moilwa, Bakwena Moilwa, Nathan Nhiwathiwa, Mogakolodi Lesarwe, Modisaotsile Thomas, and Lorato Matenje received the Cum Laude distinction. Kelebogile Dubula and Gaolatlhe Sentshwaraganye achieved Cum Laude in the Anaesthetic & Recovery Room Nursing program, while Keletso Basele excelled in the Anaesthetic Nursing program. Mompoloki Mokwaledi received recognition for completing the Recovery Room Nursing program.
In conclusion, the graduation of these 19 nurses from Bokamoso Private Hospital at Lenmed Nursing College is a testament to their dedication and commitment to their profession. They have successfully completed various short learning programs, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their respective fields. The collaboration between Lenmed Nursing College, Bokamoso Private Hospital, and the Ministry of Health has played a crucial role in their success. As they embark on their careers, these nurses are encouraged to continue their professional development and embrace new advancements in healthcare.
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BNF secures 15 constituencies in UDC coalition, wants more
The Botswana National Front (BNF) has recently announced that they have already secured 15 constituencies in the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) coalition, despite ongoing negotiations. This revelation comes as the BNF expresses its dissatisfaction with the current government and its leadership.
The UDC, which is comprised of the BNF, Botswana Peoples Party (BPP), Alliance for Progressives (AP), and Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF), is preparing for the upcoming General Elections. However, the negotiations to allocate constituencies among the involved parties are still underway. Despite this, the BNF Chairman, Patrick Molotsi, confidently stated that they have already acquired 15 constituencies and are expecting to add more to their tally.
Molotsi’s statement reflects the BNF’s long-standing presence in many constituencies across Botswana. With a strong foothold in these areas, it is only natural for the BNF to seek an increase in the number of constituencies they represent. This move not only strengthens their position within the UDC coalition but also demonstrates their commitment to serving the interests of the people.
In a press conference, BNF Secretary General, Ketlhafile Motshegwa, expressed his discontent with the current government leadership. He criticized the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) for what he perceives as a disregard for the well-being of the Batswana people. Motshegwa highlighted issues such as high unemployment rates and shortages of essential medicines as evidence of the government’s failure to address the needs of its citizens.
The BNF’s dissatisfaction with the current government is a reflection of the growing discontent among the population. The Batswana people are increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress and the failure to address pressing issues. The BNF’s assertion that the government is playing with the lives of its citizens resonates with many who feel neglected and unheard.
The BNF’s acquisition of 15 constituencies, even before the negotiations have concluded, is a testament to their popularity and support among the people. It is a clear indication that the Batswana people are ready for change and are looking to the BNF to provide the leadership they desire.
As the negotiations continue, it is crucial for all parties involved to prioritize the interests of the people. The allocation of constituencies should be done in a fair and transparent manner, ensuring that the voices of all citizens are represented. The BNF’s success in securing constituencies should serve as a reminder to the other parties of the need to listen to the concerns and aspirations of the people they aim to represent.
In conclusion, the BNF’s acquisition of 15 constituencies, despite ongoing negotiations, highlights their strong presence and support among the Batswana people. Their dissatisfaction with the current government leadership reflects the growing discontent in the country. As the UDC coalition prepares for the upcoming General Elections, it is crucial for all parties to prioritize the needs and aspirations of the people. The BNF’s success should serve as a reminder of the importance of listening to the voices of the citizens and working towards a better future for Botswana.
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Children’s summit to discuss funding of NGOS
One of the key issues that will be discussed by the Childrens’ Summit, which will be hosted by Childline Botswana Trust on 28th – 30th November in Gaborone, will be the topical issue of financing and strengthening of civil society organizations.
A statement from Childline Botswana indicates that the summit will adopt a road map for resourcing the children’s agenda by funding organizations. It will also cover issues relating to child welfare and protection; aimed at mobilizing governments to further strengthen Child Helplines; as well as sharing of emerging technologies to enhance the protection of Children and promotion of their rights.
According to Gaone Chepete, Communications Officer at Childline Botswana, the overall objective of the summit is to provide a platform for dialogue and engagement towards promoting practices and policies that fulfil children’s rights and welfare.
“Child Helplines in the region meet on a bi-annual basis to reflect on the state of children; evaluate their contribution and share experiences and best practice in the provision of services for children,” said Chepete.
The financing of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) by the state or its functionaries has generated mixed reactions from within the civil society space, with many arguing that it threatened NGOs activism and operational independence.
In February 2019, University of Botswana academic Kenneth Dipholo released a paper titled “State philanthropy: The demise of charitable organizations in Botswana,” in which he faulted then President Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama for using charity for political convenience and annexing the operational space of NGOs.
“Civil society is the domain in which individuals can exercise their rights as citizens and set limits to the power of the state. The state should be developing capable voluntary organizations rather than emaciating or colonizing them by usurping their space,” argued Dipholo.
He further argued that direct involvement of the state or state president in charity breeds unhealthy competition between the state itself and other organizations involved in charity. Under these circumstances, he added, the state will use charity work to remain relevant to the ordinary people and enhance its visibility at the expense of NGOs.
“A consequence of this arrangement is that charitable organizations will become affiliates of the state. This stifles innovation in the sense that it narrows the ability of charitable organizations to think outside the box. It also promotes mono-culturalism, as the state could support only charitable organizations that abide by its wishes,” said Dipholo.
In conclusion, Dipholo urged the state to focus on supporting NGOs so that they operate in a system that combines philanthropic work and state welfare programs.
He added that state philanthropy threatens to relegate and render charitable organizations virtually irrelevant and redundant unless they re-engineer themselves.
Another University of Botswana (UB) academic, Professor Zibani Maundeni, opined that politics vitally shape civil society interaction; as seen in the interactions between the two, where there is mutual criticism in each other’s presence.
Over the years, NGOs have found themselves grappling with dwindling financial resources as donors ran out of money in the face of increased competition for financing. Many NGOs have also been faulted for poorly managing their finances because of limited strategic planning and financial management expertise. This drove NGOs to look to government for funding; which fundamentally altered the relationships between the two. The end result was a complete change in the operational culture of NGOs, which diminished their social impact and made them even more fragile. Increased government control through contract clauses also reduced NGOs activism and autonomy.
However, others believe that NGOs and government need each other, especially in the provision of essential services like child welfare and protection. Speaking at the Civil Society Child Rights Convention in 2020, Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Setlhabelo Modukanele said government considers NGOs as critical partners in development.
“We recognize the role that NGOs play a critical role in the country’s development agenda,” said Modukanele.