Government Secures Salary Arrears for Masama Mine Workers

Government Secures Salary Arrears for Masama Mine Workers. Workers at Masama Coal Mine will soon receive their long-overdue salaries following the Government’s intervention to address financial challenges faced by their employer, Minergy.

Minister of Minerals and Energy, Honourable Bogolo Kenewendo, met with the mine workers in Lentsweletau to provide clarity on the measures taken to safeguard employees’ welfare. The workers had gone unpaid for four months, raising concerns about their livelihoods and the broader impact on families dependent on the mine’s operations.

Kenewendo explained that the Government stepped in after Minergy struggled to meet its obligations. To resolve the salary arrears, the Government converted Minergy’s existing debt into funds earmarked for employee payments. The debt had originated from a loan facility extended to the company by the Minerals Development Company Botswana (MDCB).

“The priority is to ensure that workers and their families are not left vulnerable due to the financial difficulties of the company,” Kenewendo said.

Miners were assured that all outstanding payments would be made by next week. To ensure transparency, the Ministry confirmed that the funds would be disbursed through a trust fund rather than directly by the employer. This mechanism is intended to guarantee that workers receive their full entitlements without delays or discrepancies.

The announcement has been met with relief by employees, many of whom had endured financial strain during the months of non-payment. The move also underscores the Government’s commitment to protecting workers in the mining sector, which remains a key contributor to Botswana’s economy.