28 Aug 2014

Government is committed to improving the quality of workers' lives by addressing the socio-economic dimensions that are critical to the world of work.

Officially opening the Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU) tri-annual elective congress in Palapye on August 26, the Assistant Minister of Education and Skills Development, Mr Keletso Rakhudu said government believed that the implementation of the decent work country programme would significantly contribute towards the attainment of full and productive employment and decent work for all.

He said Botswana had made significant progress in the implementation of international labour standards, as a member of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Mr Rakhudu noted that the country had ratified 15 ILO conventions, adding that the last ratification was made in 2001.

Subsequent to ratifications, he said, Botswana domesticated its labour legislation to cater for the freedom of association and collective bargaining. He said the cooperation of the government, employers and workers’ groups was critical to bringing about a wholesome approach to tackling the challenges of work.

“We have, as a tripartite body, prioritised in the decent work country programme, four socio-economic features towards the attainment of the National Vision 2016, as well as towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals,” he said.

Mr Rakhudu said the workplace environment and conditions of work should be safe and healthy and social protection coverage should be extended and made more effective.

He noted that social dialogue was of fundamental importance to the government hence the prioritisation of the promotion of dialogue to achieve sound industrial relations between the employer and the worker through effective policies and programmes. The assistant minister said his ministry believes in social dialogue as an ingredient for decent work for all.

The High Level Consultative Council, National Employment Manpower and Income Council, National Business Conference, Business Economic Advisory Council and the Labour Advisory Board are some of the recognised institutions of social dialogue in Botswana, he said.

He appealed to the trade unions to use the above structures to enhance the capacity of the employers and workers’ organisations to effectively engage in social dialogue environment.

Mr Rakhudu also urged trade unions to promote national economic development policies in order to achieve decent work for all. The chief executive officer of the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC), Dr Patrick Molutsi urged trade unions to avoid partisan politics.

He said partisan political participation has not served the working people well, especially in developing countries where the working population was small in relation to the unemployed and poverty stricken rural populations.

He said many unions had been weakened and destroyed by their move to form or join political parties. He further said being a member of a political party de-legitimises a union because while inside the party they do not always occupy a strategic position to sufficiently influence policy and law in favour of the working people.  ENDS