The Botswana government on Wednesday announced that it has adjusted minimum wages for 2019/20 by 17 percent across the board.
Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Employment Labour and Productivity, Pearl Ramoroka said employees in the construction, exploration, retail distributive trade, hotel catering and manufacturing sectors would now earn a minimum of US$0.63 per hour.
She said domestic workers and those employed in the agricultural sector would earn US$100 a month.
“The adjusted minimum wage rates will take effect from 1st July 2019. It is emphasised that these are minimum rates; employees who can afford to pay more encouraged to do so,” said Ramoroka.
The Botswana authorities have come under fire from the opposition coalition Umbrella for Democratic Change, which is promising to set the minimum wage at US$300 per month if it wins elections scheduled for October.
KO/jn/APA