Molefhi implores foreign companies to localise
Isaac Pinielo | Wednesday November 2, 2016 15:32
Speaking at the launch of a multinational company, Hatch Africa in Gaborone recently, Molefhi said expectation and common understanding dictate that personnel requirements for foreign companies should be met with locals especially where there are citizens with prerequisite skills and qualifications.
“I implore you to fullfil your personnel requirements with citizens of this country. I trust that an acceptable majority of employees in foreign companies operating here will be Batswana,” he said.
The Minister suggested that foreign companies should employ local talent, adopt local business practices and hire local professionals.
Over the years, concerns have been raised that foreign companies operating in Botswana are not doing enough to employ locals.
According to Molefhi, before industries can source expatriate manpower, local supply has to be exhausted first. He said hiring expatriates is a disadvantage not only for Batswana but also for government.
“I have come across foreign companies who operate here in Botswana but importing all their resources from their countries of origin. I will not mention names but what I can share with you is that this unfortunate story is true,” he said.
He further expressed his wish that there be long-term benefits where there will be skills transfer to local companies, adding that as foreign companies develop their strategic goals, they should have ones that are not bottom line driven.
As a form of social investment to the country, Molefhi said coaching and mentoring others would form part of every foreign company’s agreement with the country.
He said expatriate industries are also invaluable in that they create jobs for locals and offer business opportunities for local companies.
“I believe that for foreign companies to function optimally, they will need services from various companies here in Botswana and they need not to import those from outside except in instances where such services are not available in the country,” Molefhi pleaded.