1. CONDITIONS THAT PROMOTE LABOUR EFFICIENCY
If the level of education and training is high, then the level of productivity is increased.
Some cultures encourage hard work e.g. the Japanese and Chinese cultures.
If workers use simple technology, productivity will be lower. Workers who use
advanced technology will be more productive.
Good working conditions ensure high productivity e.g. good ventilation, lighting,
safety, working hours, décor etc.
Employers must take workers welfare into consideration e.g. giving workers medical
aid, pension schemes, funeral assistance, social and entertainment facilities,
housing etc.
Workers can also be encouraged to work harder by offering them incentives such as
higher wages, bonuses, awards etc.
2. HOW CONDITIONS IN BOTSWANA FACILITATE
LABOUR EFFICIENCY
There is free education for all right up to the university and other tertiary
institutions to improve knowledge and skills.
There are labour laws that protect workers from exploitation e.g. minimum wage,
working hours etc.
There are pension schemes/social security for both government and private
sectors workers.
There is acquisition of modern technology such as complex machines, computers
etc. that help to raise productivity.
The government is investing on the improvement of infrastructure to speed up the
movement of goods and provision of services.
There is better housing for workers e.g. institutional houses like teachers’ houses,
BHC houses and SHAA programme.
Government is spending on the improvement of health facilities such as health
3. CONDITIONS THAT MILITATE AGAINST LABOUR EFFICIENCY
Most people are unskilled or are without any formal training.
HIV/AIDS makes workers weak and unproductive.
Some places have narrow roads and single railway lines that make traffic move
slowly as well as poor telephone coverage etc.
The education system produces people that are ill prepared to join the job
market.
There are poor work ethics such as late coming, lack of discipline, absenteeism,
misuse of telephones etc.
Most of the work is done manually and slowly e.g. agriculture, construction etc.
Workers experience poor working conditions such as low wages, long working
hours, poor safety, and unavailability of pension schemes for some private
sector employees etc.
The culture works against the efficiency of labour in the following ways:
The extended family places a huge burden on the workers making them less
focused at work.
There is lack of assertiveness e.g. going the extra mile.
