11/05/2026
In April 2026, public service interns in Botswana including those in teaching roles, staged a nationwide protest and submitted a formal petition to the government regarding stagnant allowances and job security.
KEY GRIEVANCES AND DEMANDS
The protesters, led by a recognized committee, gathered at the Ministry of Labour & Home Affairs in Gaborone to voice several critical concerns.
Allowance Increase: Interns are demanding that their monthly stipend be increased from P1,900 to P4,000, citing a previous government promise and the rising cost of living.
Permanent Employment: Protesters are calling for "absorption"—guaranteed permanent and pensionable employment—upon completion of their two-year internship contracts.
Access to Internal Vacancies: They expressed frustration at being denied the ability to apply for internal government vacancies despite being qualified and contributing to the workforce.
