Botswana

• New Year’s Day
• Holiday for New Year’s Day
• Holiday for New Year’s Day
• Good Friday
• Easter Saturday
• Easter Monday
• Labour Day
• Ascension Day
• Sir Seretse Khama Day
• President’s Day
• President’s Day holiday
• Botswana Day
• Botswana Day holiday
• Christmas Day
• Boxing Day

Working Hours

The standard working week is 8 hours per day or 48 hours in a 6-day week, or 9 hours per day for a 5-day week.

Minimum Wage

BWP 6.31 or BWP 7.34 per hour, depending on the industry.

Some workers are entitled to a minimum wage of BWP 1,084 per month.

Employee Tax

Annual income	Tax rate
Up to BWP 48,000	0%
BWP 48,000 - 84,000	5%
BWP 84,000 - 120,000	12.5% + BWP 1,800
BWP 120,000 - 156,000	18.75% + BWP 6,300
More than BWP 156,000	25% + BWP 13,050
Social security contribution	None

Bonuses

There are no statutory bonus schemes in Botswana.

Employment contracts in Botswana are normally written. They should include wages and employment terms and conditions. Contracts can be indefinite or fixed-term.

Contracts may be required by the Botswana Unified Revenue Service to verify an employee's taxable income.

Annual Leave

Minimum of 15 days’ paid holiday per year.

Sick Leave

14 days' paid sick leave per year. A medical certificate must be provided after 24 hours of absence.

Parental Leave

• Maternity leave: 12 weeks' paid leave at 25% of the mother's basic pay.
• Paternity leave: none.

Termination Process

Employers in Botswana can terminate a contract provided they give notice in line with legal requirements.

Employees may also be terminated for serious misconduct. This includes wilful disobedience, neglect of duties, and persistent absence.

Employees can also give notice of termination in line with their contract terms.

Severance Pay

Employees are entitled to severance benefit of one day’s basic pay per month up to 60 months of service, then 2 days’ basic pay per month of service thereafter.

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