Botswana
Introduction
General overview & country facts, as well as labour regulations.
Employer Contributions
These are additional costs incurred by employers over and above the employee’s monthly gross salary and/or bonus.
Employee Contributions
These are costs incurred by employees that reduce their monthly gross salary and/or bonus to determine their net “take home” pay.
Employment Terms
All you need to know about salary & bonuses, working hours & overtime, probation period, notice period & severance pay, as well as all leave types.
COUNTRY PLAYBOOK
Botswana
Everything you need to know about payroll, benefits & hiring top talent in Botswana
Currency
Botswana Pula (BWP)
Salary payment frequency
Determined by the parties
Capital
Gaborone
Time Zone
GMT +2:00
Official Languages
English
Is English spoken?
Yes
Quick Links
Introduction
General Overview & Economic Facts
- Botswana, officially known as the Republic of Botswana is a country in Southern Africa
- It is located on the eastern edge of mainland Southeast Asia
- It is a mid-sized country with a population of 2.3 million people
- Botswana was once one of the world’s poorest countries, with a GDP per capita of approximately US$ 70.00 per year in the late 1960s. Since this time, it has become an upper-middle-income country, with one of the world’s fastest-growing economies
- Botswana’s economy ranks 114th by nominal GDP (2019) and 113th by PPP (2019)
- Botswana’s HDI ranking is 100th (2020)
Why Employ In Botswana?
- The main exports from Botswana are diamonds, copper, nickel and beef
- Population demographic- 18.31% of the population is between the ages of 15 and 24 years, with 39.67% of the population being between the ages of 25 and 54. With Botswana having a more mature population, the general population possess more work experience and skills, making it a great country to hire experts
Overview Of The Labour Law
- The Employment Act regulates employment in Botswana. The Employment Act provides for the minimum wage, working hours, rest periods, and vacation. Additional employment regulations include the Workers Compensation Act, The Trade Disputes Act and the Trade Unions and Employers Organisation Act
- Employment contracts are governed by collective agreements
- Botswana’s labour laws are heavily employee-friendly, particularly on issues related to the termination or dismissal of employees
Fun Country Facts
- Botswana has Africa’s highest concentration of elephants
- The Makgadikgadi Salt Pan in Botswana is one of the largest salt pans in the world.
- The Okavango Delta is the largest inland delta in the world
Why Use Playroll Services For Botswana?
- Employing in Botswana requires companies to have their own legal entity in the country as well as to manage payroll, employee benefits, taxes and legal compliance. This can get quite complicated, especially with the complexity of employment laws in Botswana
- With Playroll’s Employer of Record services, your team will be employed by our established legal entities in each country
- We will take care of payroll, employee benefits, taxes, legal compliance and provide ongoing employee support, so that you can focus on growing a thriving team
Employer Contributions
These are additional costs incurred by employers over and above the employee’s monthly gross salary and/or bonus.
Pension Fund
Where a gratuity is not provided to the employee, employers may contribute up to 20% of the employee’s remuneration
Employee Contributions
These are costs incurred by employees that reduce their monthly gross salary and/or bonus to determine their net “take home” pay.
Pension Fund
Where a gratuity is not provided to the employee, employees may contribute up to 15% of their remuneration
Income Tax
Income tax is on worldwide income
Income bracket per annum
0.00 – 48,000.00
0.00%
48,000.00 – 84,000.00
0.00 + 5% of excess over 48,000
84,000.00 – 120,000.00
1,800.00 + 12.50% of excess over 84,000.00
120,000.00 – 156,000.00
6,300.00 + 18.75% of excess over 120,000.00
156,000.00 or more
13,050.00 + 25.00% of excess over 156,000.00
Employment Terms
General
Minimum Wage
- BWP 7.34 per hour
Working Hours
- Maximum of 8 hours per day and 48 hours per week
- Minimum 30–minute meal interval after 5 hours of work, minimum of 45–minute meal interval after 8 hours of work, minimum of 60–minute meal interval after 9 hours of work
- Typical working hours start at 08h00 and end between 17h00, Monday to Friday
Overtime
- Employees may work a maximum of 14 overtime hours per week
Notice Period
- 1 month
Severance Pay
- Payable after a period of 60 months continuous employment, or at the termination of employment, at the option of the employee
- Pay is 1 day’s pay per month of service after 5 years of employment. For each subsequent 5–year period, 2 days of pay for each month worked (120 days’ pay for each 5–year period)
- Severance is not payable where the employee benefits from pension or gratuity
Probation Period
- There is no statutory probation period
- It is common to have a probation period of 3 to 12 months
Bonus
- There is no statutory bonus
Public Holidays
Public holidays 2022
- January 1st – New Year’s Day
- January 2nd – New Year Holiday
- April 15th – Good Friday
- April 16th – Easter Saturday
- April 18th – Easter Monday
- May 1st – Labour Day
- May 2nd – Labour Day Holiday
- May 26th – Ascension Day
- July 1st – Sir Seretse Khama Day
- July 18th – President’s Day
- July 19th – President’s Day Holiday
- September 30th – Botswana Day
- October 1st – Botswana Day Holiday
- December 25th – Christmas Day
- December 26th – Boxing Day
- December 26th – Christmas Holiday
Leave
Paid Leave / Vacation Days
- Paid leave
- Paid by employer
- 15 days per year
Sick Leave
- Paid leave
- Paid by employer
- 14 days per year
Maternity Leave
- Paid leave
- Paid by employer
- 12 weeks per year
Start hiring in Botswana today!