About Company
Role & Structure
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Mandate: Oversees labour administration, employment policies, workplace safety, civil registration (e.g., ID cards, passports, marriages), immigration, and home affairs।
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Organisation: Includes departments such as Labour & Social Security, Occupational Health & Safety, Skills Development, Immigration & Civil Registration।
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Parastatals/linked bodies: Botswana National Productivity Centre (BNPC), Construction Industry Trust Fund (CITF), Labour Market Observatory।
Contact & Location
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Headquarters: Government Enclave, Block 8, Gaborone.
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Postal address: Private Bag 002, Gaborone.
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Phone: +267 611 100 | Toll-free: 0800 600 186 | Email: melsdpr@gov.bw।
Key Functions & Services
⚖️ Labour & Employment
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Labour relations: Regulates trade unions, mediation & arbitration under the Trade Disputes Act।
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Occupational safety: Inspection of steam boilers, cranes, etc.; ensuring safe work environments।
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Skills training: Vocational training via brigades and technical colleges (e.g., plumbing, welding)।
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Labour dispute resolution: Mediation and arbitration for employer/employee disputes।
🆔 Civil Registration & Immigration
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Passports & IDs: Manages applications for Omang (national ID) and passports. Fee structure: P100 (under 16), P260 for adults. E‑passport & emergency‑travel documents available।
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Residency & immigration: Handles visas, work permits, citizenship, immigration control।
👶 Social Protections & Child Welfare
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Implements ILO conventions (e.g., child labour age limits), anti‑trafficking policies, and collaborations like workshops with IOM to protect migrants।
Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships
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Botswana Labour Market Observatory (LMO): Launched Oct 2022 to gather labour data supporting policy—a collaborative effort with HRDC and DPSM।
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Workshops & training: E.g., IOM-led workshops to aid immigration officers in handling mixed migration, trafficking victims।
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Policy reviews: Engaged in reviewing statutes like the Marriage Act, reflecting expanded involvement in civil affairs।
Governance & Leadership
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Current minister: Hon. Annah Mokgethi (took office around Oct 2022). One of her early initiatives was launching the LMO governing body।
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Past ministers: Edwin Batshu served from 2011–2014।
🔍 Summary Table
| Area | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Labour | Employment facilitation, dispute resolution, workplace inspections, skills development |
| Home Affairs | Immigration, nationals’ ID and passport issuance, civil registration |
| Safety | Occupational standards, safety inspections |
| Research & Data | Labour Market Observatory, strategic policy tools |
| Partnerships | ILO, IOM, HRDC, DPSM, UN bodies |
💡Why It Matters
MLHA is essential for Botswana’s socio-economic fabric: protecting workers’ rights, ensuring safe workplaces, streamlining immigration services, and contributing to national planning through labour market intelligence.