Photo: Chandapiwa Malema, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0Workers' compensation in Botswana
Deadlines, forms and the employer's insurance
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- The worker reports the injury or disease to the employer immediately or within 10 days.
- The employer has the worker examined by a medical practitioner named by the employer.
- The employer reports to the DLSS or DOHS within 17 days on the prescribed form BL 43/10.
- The employer submits form 43/03 (completed by the medical practitioner) and form 43/07 (completed by the insurance company), with the worker's statement, a covering letter, and a police report for a road crash or an assault, or the post-mortem report and death certificate in a fatal case.
- The Labour Officer assesses the claim, computes the award and writes an award letter to the employer, copied to the worker.
Source: Government of Botswana, workers compensation. Claims are processed in all District Labour Offices, 7:30 to 12:45 and 13:45 to 16:30, Monday to Friday.
What the Act requires of employers
| Section | Heading |
|---|---|
| 9 | Employers to report injuries and occupational diseases |
| 11 | Employer's liability for compensation for death or incapacity |
| 26 | Compensation to include medical aid |
| 31 | Employer to insure against liability under this Act |
| 32 | Certificate of insurance |
| 35 | Duty of insurer to satisfy determination against employer |
| 47 | Appeals to the High Court |
Headings from the Workers' Compensation Act, arrangement of sections; the full text is sold by Botswana Laws. A worker hurt in a road crash on duty may also claim from the MVA Fund, which asks for the workers' compensation claim with the loss of earnings documents (check list).
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Frequently asked questions
How many days does an employer have to report a work injury in Botswana?
17 days, to the Department of Labour and Social Security or the Department of Occupational Health and Safety, on form BL 43/10.
How long does a worker have to claim compensation?
The application is made to the nearest office within 12 months from the date of the injury.
Must employers in Botswana have workers' compensation insurance?
Yes: section 31 of the Workers' Compensation Act requires the employer to insure against its liability under the Act.
Sources
- Government of Botswana — Workers compensation: reporting within 10 and 17 days, claim within 12 months, forms 43/03 and 43/07
- Workers' Compensation Act (Cap. 47:03) — arrangement of sections, Botswana Laws (section 31: employer to insure against liability; full text behind a paywall)
- MVA Fund Botswana — Check list: documents to lodge a claim, processing times, funeral expenses maximum P7,500