Representatives from government ministries and agencies (labour, trade, investment, and special economic zones), employers' and workers' organizations gathered in Gaborone for a national workshop on 16-17 and 18 September, called "Advancing Decent Work (SDG 8) through Responsible Business Conduct and Respect for International Labour Standards in Trade and Investment", to discuss how to further maximize the positive impact and decent work outcomes from trade and investment.
The three-day workshop placed responsible business conduct and decent work through respect for international labour standards at the centre of Botswana's economic transformation programme and further supporting its pathway towards inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
Discussions between representatives from the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs, the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship, the Special Economic Zones Authority, and the social partners were guided by the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (MNE Declaration). The ILO MNE Declaration provides policy guidance and practical recommendations to governments, enterprises, and social partners for maximizing the positive contributions of business to sustainable development and decent work, while addressing potential challenges that might arise.
The workshop was officially opened by the Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ms. Tshepo Nkwadi, who highlighted the critical role of trade and investment in driving economic growth, job creation, and innovation.
As Botswana advances its economic diversification agenda, we must ensure that investment not only boosts growth but also upholds workers' rights and contributes to social justice, Ms Nkwadi said.
Speaking at the opening, Mr. Catalin Gherman, Head of Cooperation of the Delegation of the European Union to Botswana, reaffirmed the EU's support for advancing decent work in Botswana through the SUSTAIN Programme. Mr. Gherman further highlighted the EU Communication on Decent Work Worldwide, which underscores the need to promote decent work globally and cautions against a "race to the bottom" in labour standards when competing for investment.
"Trade and investment do contribute to decent work and the realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. However, this doesn't always happen automatically. Inclusive policies based upon sound social dialogue are needed. The ILO MNE Declaration provides a framework for this dialogue and joint action." (ILO SUSTAIN Project)
Workshop participants identified a series of development priorities and challenges that could be further addressed by strategically aligning trade and investment with decent work and responsible business conduct. Challenges identified included inclusive economic growth, economic diversification, the need to enhance transition to formality, and further deepening of a private sector-led economic growth model.
Against this background, the workshop worked towards the creation and adoption of a national roadmap to encourage sustainable and responsible business practices and investments in line with the ILO MNE Declaration and supported by the ILO SUSTAIN project.
The roadmap included:
- The designation of national tripartite-appointed focal points within government and social partners to further facilitate and enhance policy coherence, synergies, partnerships, and advocacy for decent work in trade and investment.
- Raising awareness with private sector actors on responsible business conduct expectations in a global market for competitiveness.
- A sectoral dialogue on decent work and RBC in the manufacturing sector ti be held in the course of 2026.
About the SUSTAIN Project:
The project "Promoting decent work and capacity building for labour ministries, labour inspections and social partners to advance international labour standards and responsible business conduct (RBC) through sustainable trade and investments in Southern Africa (SUSTAIN - Southern Africa)" aims to further harness trade and investment to advance decent work opportunities for women and men in Southern Africa through increased respect for International Labour Standards (ILS) and the adoption of responsible and sustainable business practices, guided by the ILO MNE Declaration. The SUSTAIN project is financially supported by the European Union
