Botswana cabinet agree 10% pay cut to support coronavirus relief fund

Last updated on September 11th, 2021 at 02:54 pm

Cabinet members in Botswana have agreed to donate 10% of their salaries towards the country’s COVID-19 relief fund, government announced on Tuesday. According to Vice President Slumber Tsogwane, members have pledged 10% of their salaries to the relief fund for a period of six months.

The deductions will total P167,407.20 every month. The amount comes up to about $14,000 per month and $84,000 over the six-month period. Speaking on state broadcaster, BTV, Tuesday evening VP Tsogwane said, the President , himself as Vice President, Ministers and Assistant Ministers have all written letters and authorized deduction of 10% of their salaries to help the nation in the fight against COVID-19.

He also thanked Batswana and the private sector for their continued contribution to the fund and urged others to bring their pledges, monetary or otherwise. The country is under a lockdown occasioned by a state of emergency imposed to curb spread of the virus.