Economic and Socio-political Situation Botswana has since Independence in 1966 maintained a multiparty democracy with her 40-elected-member National Assembly. There is also a 15-member House of Chiefs, which advises on matters affecting custom and tradition. There are two main political parties; the Botswana Democratic Party and the Botswana National Front as well as a number of smaller parties. The ruling party, the Botswana Democratic Party, has been in power since Independence. In national elections held in 1999, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) won 33 of the 40 contested National Assembly seats, the Botswana National Front (BNF) won 6, and the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) won 1 seat. An additional 4 seats are held by individuals appointed by the President and all are held by the ruling BDP. General elections are held at least every 5 years and the next round of legislative and presidential elections are scheduled for 2004. For much of the period since Independence, Botswana has enjoyed an economic boom of remarkable proportions. During 1976-92, the rate of economic growth averaged about 10 per cent a year in real terms. The basis of this growth, however, was fragile as it depended primarily on the export of minerals (some 80 per cent of total exports in 1991) and beef. Economic slowdown began in 1992 and annual growth rates have since hovered around the rate of population growth, implying little or no increase in per capita income. The population of Botswana stood at 1,571,728, with an annual growth rate of 2.5%, in 1999. The total labour force was 439,933 in 1996, with the formal sector absorbing 288,165, which was reduced to 266,001 in 1997. The unemployment rate in 1996 was 21.5% and between 1996 and 1997, 5016 people were made redundant. Botswana was one of the poorest countries when she attained independence in 1966; with a GDP in current prices of P36.9 million (1966/67). The situation has changed dramatically since then, due largely to the discovery of vast diamond reserves, to the extent that by 1983/84, the GDP in current figures had increased to P1,390.9 million, rising to P2,700 in 1993/94. A real GDP growth rate of 8.3% was estimated for 1997/98 with an expectation that the fairly persistent high growth in GDP, which peaked at an average of 11.3% during the 1980s, would begin to fall due to the observed declines in the mining and government sectors. Compared with the 2.5% annual population growth rate, these figures are quite impressive. However, there is a lot of concern with the very high unemployment rate, especially among the youth, which may be a reflection of certain distortions in the Government's macro-economic and sectoral policies. This is worsened by the persistent income inequality and poverty, especially among women. The Household Income and Expenditure Survey for 1985/86 indicate that 55% of rural households were below the poverty line. The situation is expected to have deteriorated since then by the negative impact of HIV/AIDS. In order to meet the development challenges currently facing the country, Botswana has developed its Vision 2016; the principles and goals of Vision 2016 form the starting point for the Eighth National Development Plan (NDP 8), which covers the period 1997/98-2002/03. The principal theme of the Plan is sustainable economic diversification, with employment creation constituting a major thrust. Similarly, the Plan regards higher labour productivity as essential in efforts to improve the nation's competitive position in world markets and to raise levels of earned income at home. An improved competitive position will increase exports, facilitate expansion and diversification, and promote employment opportunities. Human resource development, poverty alleviation, democracy and accountability are important pillars of this national vision, which was articulated in 1996. Botswana is halfway through its five year development plan which was adopted in 1997, the main targets address issues related to poverty alleviation, job creation, a more equitable distribution of the country's wealth, more privatisation and reduced youth unemployment. The latter is being addressed through the National Youth Policy Implementation Plan (Action Plan 1999-2005). Botswana has had three peaceful changes of President since its independence, though the same political party, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), has been in power since 1966. The last elections were held in October 1999 and Mr. Festus Mogae was elected President. The country's relationship with Namibia had been strained due to a border dispute and Botswana's support to the secessionists from the Namibian Caprivi Region. The border dispute has now been resolved through the intervention of the World Court, which awarded the Sedudu Island to Botswana. President Mogae has also publicly expressed concern on the possible national implications of the current crisis in Zimbabwe. Social Dialogue The Botswana Federation of Trade Unions (BFTU), the Botswana Confederation of Commerce, Industry and Manpower (BOCCIM) and the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs are the major actors in social dialogue. Since 1990, BOCCIM has improved itself organizationally and now holds biennial private sector conferences with senior government officials, workers' representatives and donor agencies. These conferences have led to the establishment of a High Level Consultative Committee, which is chaired by the President. On the other hand, the BFTU is poor in both financial and human resources. Its inability to have a high calibre secretariat has resulted in the BFTU making only minimal contribution to the tripartite structure. It has been rightly stated that BFTU constitutes the weaker link, while the Department of Labour is the weak link, in tripartite and social dialogue in Botswana. Though the necessary structures have been created to give effect to the policy of tripartism, these structures are less effective due to the weakness of the trade union as well as the advisory nature of the National Employment, Manpower and Incomes Council (NEMIC). Its decisions are not binding on the government. The government, however, is committed to creating a climate of good industrial relations in order to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flows into the country. The ILO has extended to Botswana the ILO/Swiss Project to Advance Social Partnership in Promoting Labour Peace in Southern Africa. International Labour Standards Botswana has ratified all eight core conventions and was one of the first ten countries to ratify the new convention on the Worst Forms of Child Labour; C. 182. The ILO, through SAMAT, has supported Botswana in her attempts to bring national labour laws into conformity with ratified conventions. Conventions ratified by Botswana ILO Technical Cooperation The 2002 Country Objectives developed for Botswana have been finalised and the ILO will continue to collaborate with Botswana in a tripartite manner, technically assisting in capacity building through seminars and workshops to promote the Declaration, strengthening capacity of various institutions to comply with the ratified conventions and providing general advisory support on child labour. Back to Countries Covered
|
