This intervention occurs when a dispute has not been settled at mediation. The consent is required for Disputes of Right and not required for Essential Services category employees and Disputes of Interests. Referrals are to be made within thirty (30) days of the issuance of the Certificate of Failure to settle the Trade Dispute.
Types of disputes referred
Disputes of right
This intervention occurs when a trade dispute of right (entitlements) has not been settled at mediation. Such referral can only be made with the consent of both parties to dispute.
Disputes of interest
This intervention occurs when a trade dispute of interest (change in terms and conditions of employment) has not been settled at mediation with consent of both parties.
An aggrieved employee or employer
- Receipt of referral of alleged dispute
- Register the dispute with nearest Labour office and receive acknowledgement letter
- Check availability of arbitrator
- Collect invitation letters after allocation of dispute to arbitrator
- Attend the arbitration meeting; failure to attend by applicant, the dispute is dismissed and failure to attend by the respondent a default award is issued.
- Receive resolution/settlement of the award
- Failure to honour award, the case is referred to Industrial Court for enforcement
- Certificate of Failure to settle
- Consent of referral to Arbitration
Within thirty (30) working days
All Regional Labour Offices
Regional Contact Numbers
| Department of Labour and Social Security Head office, Gaborone Tel. (+267) 3602904 | Gaborone Regional Labour Office I Tel. (+267) 3971406 |
| Gaborone Regional Labour Office II Tel. (+267) 3956019 | Francistown Regional Labour Office Tel. (+267) 2416933 |
| Lobatse Regional Labour Office Tel. (+267) 5332569 | Maun Regional Labour Office Tel. (+267) 68622705/2418 |
| Selibe Phikwe Regional Labour Office Tel. (+267) 2611598 | Serowe Regional Labour Office Tel. (+267) 4632579 |
| Kasane Regional Labour Office Tel. (+267) 6250216 |
Opening hours: 7:30 am to 12:45 and 13:45 to 16:30, Monday to Friday, except public holidays.
