High-level training strengthens negotiation capacity for public service social dialogue in Lesotho
The initiative brings together senior government leaders to enhance negotiation skills in line with international labour standards and recent public service reforms.
4 February 2026
The International Labour Organization (ILO) supported a High-Level Training Session on Negotiation Skills for Mandate Givers on Wednesday, 28 February 2026 which was officially opened by the Right Honourable Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Mr Ntsokoane Samuel Matekane, in Maseru.
The training which brought together Honourable Ministers from ten Ministries, was aimed at strengthening leadership capacity for effective social dialogue and collective bargaining in the public service. The initiative is expected to enhance the quality, coherence and sustainability of public service negotiations by ensuring that negotiating teams are supported by clear, strategic and well-informed mandates.
Opening the session, Prime Minister Matekane noted that the training comes at a critical juncture as Lesotho moves towards the full institutionalisation of social dialogue and collective bargaining in the public service, following the establishment of the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC). He emphasized the pivotal role of mandate givers in shaping negotiation outcomes, underscoring that a well-prepared mandate is a key determinant of fair, balanced and effective agreements.
The Prime Minister also reflected on Lesotho’s progress in implementing the Labour Relations (Public Service) Convention, 1978 (No. 151), following its ratification and the enactment of the Labour Act, 2024. He expressed appreciation for the ILO’s continued technical and financial support, which has contributed to strengthening institutional frameworks and capacities for labour relations in the public service.
When opening a similar training session for Principal Secretaries, Deputy Principal Secretaries and senior government executives, the Government Secretary, Mrs Teboho Mokela, emphasised that:
We are gathered here today to enhance our skills in Negotiation and Conflict Management as mandate givers because we are the architects of the negotiations responsible for setting the "islands of agreement" and strategic boundaries.
At the end of the training session, the Government Secretary identified the following steps as a way forward:
- Establishment of a Cabinet Sub Committee of Ministers on Labour Relations, which will be a committee established to work on labour relations and give mandate to negotiators, a Sub-Committee of Principal Secretaries, Technical Team and Negotiators.
- Study visits by the Sub-Committees to South Africa to learn best practices.
- Since the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) has been established, there is therefore a need for resources allocation for it to be functional in terms of infrastructure and Secretariat.
- Capacity building for the members of the PSCBC.
- Establishment of Social Dialogue Forum for Security Sector (Police and Correctional Service) and Senior Government Officials, which will be a platform for discussion of all labour relations.
The training was facilitated by the ILO Social Dialogue and Labour Administration Specialist, Mr Limpho Mandoro, who focused on practical negotiation skills, modern negotiation approaches and strategies aimed at promoting constructive dialogue and “win–win” outcomes for both government and public service negotiators. Participants were equipped with tools to improve decision-making, mandate formulation and coordination within the collective bargaining process.
The ILO Pretoria Office reiterated its commitment to supporting the Government of Lesotho and its social partners in strengthening social dialogue, advancing collective bargaining, and promoting stable and effective labour relations in the public service.