Today marks an important milestone in the history of employment and labour relations in Botswana as the Employment and Labour Relations Act, 2025 comes into operation.
For the labour movement, the commencement of the Act represents the culmination of years of engagement, advocacy, negotiation and social dialogue towards building a modern and responsive labour relations framework.
The Union welcomes the commencement of the Act as an important step forward in strengthening the protection of workers’ rights, promoting sound labour relations and collective bargaining, and improving the prevention and resolution of workplace disputes. The Act also presents an opportunity to bring Botswana’s labour framework closer to international labour standards and the fundamental principles of freedom of association and the right to organise.
However, the true measure of any law is not merely its enactment, but how it is implemented and experienced by workers in their workplaces.
Commencement therefore marks the beginning of a new phase of education, engagement and vigilance. Workers must understand and exercise their rights; employers must comply with their obligations; and Government and labour institutions must be adequately resourced to give meaningful effect to the new framework.
We emphasise the importance of continued social dialogue between Government, workers and employers. The labour movement remains committed to constructive engagement with all social partners to ensure that the objectives of the Act translate into meaningful improvements in the working lives of people in Botswana.
At the same time, we will remain vigilant. Where gaps, unintended consequences or challenges arise in the implementation of the Act, we will engage, advocate and, where necessary, defend the rights and interests of workers.
Today, Botswana turns a new page in its labour relations framework.
As a Union, we stand ready to play our part.
We will educate.
We will engage.
We will represent.
We will advocate.
And, where necessary, we will defend.
The law has commenced. The work of making it meaningful for workers begins today.