Botswana Halts Work Permits for Foreign Teachers and Truck Drivers to Protect Local Jobs

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In a move to prioritize employment opportunities for its citizens, Botswana has announced it will no longer issue work permits to foreign teachers and truck drivers. The decision, confirmed by Minister of Labor and Home Affairs Pius Mokgware, comes as the country faces growing pressure to address local unemployment concerns.

Speaking to a group of unemployed teachers protesting in Gaborone, Mokgware revealed that the government had already started implementing the new policy. “Last month alone, 140 applications for work permits were rejected,” he said, emphasizing the government’s commitment to safeguarding jobs for locals.

The protest was led by Thabang Kopelo, who represented the unemployed teachers. Kopelo called on the government to take even stricter measures, including canceling existing permits for foreign educators. “We now demand the cancellation and the immediate suspension of issuing of work permits to teachers who come from outside of Botswana. There are thousands of local teachers who are still without jobs,” Kopelo said.

Kopelo stressed that their demands were not xenophobic but rather a plea for the government to prioritize its citizens. “We are not resorting to hostility or derogatory language as seen in other countries. We view our neighbors as brothers and sisters, but the government must ensure its people come first,” he added.Botswana Halts Work Permits for Foreign Teachers and Truck Drivers to Protect Local Jobs

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Botswana’s stance stands in contrast to neighboring South Africa, where tensions over employment have often escalated into violence. Migrants in South Africa have faced deadly attacks from locals who accuse them of taking jobs.

Meanwhile, foreign workers in Botswana, including Congolese teacher Patrice Okomi, say they are prepared to abide by the government’s decision.

“We are here at the mercy of the government, and it is entirely up to them to decide our future,” Okomi stated. “If the feeling is that we have overstayed our welcome, we must prepare for our exit.”

Botswana’s relatively stable economy has long been a draw for migrant workers, particularly those fleeing economic difficulties in neighboring Zimbabwe. According to government data from Statistics Botswana, there are 4,581 foreign work permit holders in the country, with teachers making up 18% of that number.

As the nation’s new government, which took office in October, navigates these labor challenges, the policy is being hailed by many as a step toward addressing local unemployment. However, its long-term impact on the country’s economy and education sector remains to be seen.

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