Botswana’s President, Duma Boko, has expressed uncertainty regarding the timeline for implementing promised increases to the minimum wage, student allowances, and old age pension fund. In his recent remarks, the president confirmed that the government is still assessing the current state of the economy before finalizing when these increments will take effect.
During his election campaign, President Boko had pledged that the minimum wage would be raised to P4000, student allowances would be increased to P2500, and the old age pension fund would be enhanced to P1800 by the end of November 2024, shortly after assuming office. However, the president acknowledged that the government needs more time to evaluate economic conditions and decide on the appropriate changes.
“We are working hard to determine the true state of our economy and how we can best implement these changes,” Boko stated. “The increase in minimum wage, student allowance, and old age pension are crucial promises, but we need to ensure that the economic situation is stable enough to support these increments sustainably.”
The uncertainty surrounding the exact timeline for these increases has raised concerns among citizens, especially those eagerly anticipating the promised financial relief. As of now, the government has not provided a clear date for when these payments will begin.
Despite the delay, President Boko reiterated his commitment to fulfilling these promises but emphasized the need for careful economic planning to avoid any adverse effects on the nation’s fiscal health.
As the government continues to monitor economic conditions, the public will be watching closely for updates on when these much-anticipated changes will take place.
