04 May 2014

Secretary General of Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union, Mr Raymond Majongwe, has warned members of Botswana Federation of Public Service Unions (BOFEPUSU) against internal fights as that may derail them from their agenda and render them toothless.

Giving a keynote address at this year’s May Day at Gaborone Secondary School grounds, under the theme ‘Unleashing a progressive labour agenda’, Mr Majongwe said divisions and bickerings among union members had the potential to unsettle good intentions of the federation.

He said as a federation they should have primary focus and intentions that must bring about a good working atmosphere and good earnings that could in turn bear pleasant and productive livelihoods.

However, he said when trade unions were facing a tough battle against the government and the business community - usually the major employers - it was common to hear them calling for regime change without exactly knowing what change they want.

“Therefore, you should stay focused and know your needs and priorities in your agendas,” he said, adding that it was clear from the words themselves that not all labour agendas were progressive.

The trade unionist said as a progress labour movement they needed to be clear on how progressive their agenda was so that they marched confidently towards the realisation of their objectives.

“Governments and regimes are mostly neo-liberal and want to serve their interests of the day, whilst labour movements are an investment into the future. As such, a progressive labour agenda needs to be characterised by ideological clarity,” he said.

He noted that right from the shop steward, workers have to be clear on the political economy that runs the societies and position themselves properly to fight for and defend their rights.

“Another key tenet is that of independence. We cannot have a progressive labour agenda if we are not independent from the influence of businessmen and politicians who are our enemies and only seek to go to bed with us to further their selfish interests.

“So it is imperative that our unions run capacitation educational programmes to ensure that we develop a labour movement cadre ship that is ideological clear and independent which fight for our labour and human rights without succumbing to the influence of anti-worker regimes,” he said.

Meanwhile, BOFEPUSO labour secretary Mr Johnson Motshwarakgole said the federation was united and dismissed rumours that it was divided. He said in any setting there was bound to be differences of opinion but that did not mean that there is division as some may think.

Mr Motshwarakgole also urged trade union members to be fearless and resolute when fighting for their organisational rights. He however said that it was unfortunate that the government was not taking trade unions seriously to the extent that it was disregarding the bargaining council, which has been established through an Act of Parliament.

The day was celebrated through music and dance and various speakers deliberated on various topics which touched on the lives of workers. ENDS