7th February 2021
Botswanaâs rate of job creation during 2020 was as slow as its COVID 19 vaccine roll out plan, figures published by the national data agency â Statistics Botswana suggest.
According to the Statistics Botswanaâs Labour Force Module of the Quarterly Multi Topic Survey (QMTS), formal sector employment in Botswana went down from 492,914 in quarter one of 2020 to 477,716 in the last quarter (Q4: 2020). This reflects a decrease of 3.1 percent. The survey further shows that there has been an increase in the number of people eligible to work, but the economy is adding jobs at a slower pace. The data shows that unemployment rate for persons aged 15 years and above went up by 1.3 percentage points, from 23.2 percent in quarter one of 2020, to 24.5 percent in quarter four 2020. The data also shows that the employed population (15 years and above) recorded a decline of 2.4 percent between quarters one (1) and four (4) of 2020, from 751,798 to 733,875 person
st January to the 28
th February 2021 amid feared rising number of COVID 19 cases in the country.
The government said in December 2020 â when the first curfew was announced that the move is necessary to curb the spread of COVID 19.
Following the Friday announcement the Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana (HATAB) â which exist to promote, encourage and police excellence in hospitality and tourism sector in the country is expected to issue a statement and express its concern on the âlackâ of balancing between saving lives and livelihoods. The association is also expected to air its displeasure on the lack of consultation by the Botswana government when drastic decisions such as the introduction of national curfew and the suspension of liquor sales are imposed.