02 May 2016

The Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Mr Edwin Batshu says government recognises May 1 as a public holiday and workers day to recognise the role workers play in the social and economic development of the country.

He said May Day is held to celebrate workers and to dialogue with them and share ideas and thoughts on issues and challenges that are encountered by workers in their respective work places.

He said this during the commemoration of May Day on Sunday in Selebi Phikwe. The event which was organised by the Botswana Federation of Public Sector Union (BOFEPUSU) was held under the theme: Protecting collective bargaining, advancing and deepening trade unions and workers rights.

“We commemorate the May Day today as a milestone from where we have come. The commemoration will help us among other things to reflect and re-strategise into the future of our labour relations,” he said.

He said in the 50 years of independence, Botswana has enacted pieces of labour legislation being the Trade Unions and Employers Organisaton Act, Trade Dispute Act, Employment Act and the Public Service Act to improve workers working conditions. He also mentioned that Botswana joined the International Labour Organisations in 1978 and so far ratified 15 conventions.

“To testify that as a country and as a government that we are determined to improve working conditions, in 2011 we signed the Botswana Decent Work Country Programme which signifies the good relations that exists between government and social partners such as Business Botswana and Botswana Federation of Trade Unions,” he said.

He explained that Decent Work Country Work programme seeks to enhance capacity of all parties involved to achieve strategic objectives of the ILO. “It is a sign of Botswana’s commitment to improve the quality of work life by addressing the socio-economic dimensions that are critical to the ‘World of work,” he said.

Minister Batshu mentioned that the Decent Work Country Programme had in its composition four priority areas which were Employment Creation, Workers Rights, Social Protection and Tripartism and Social Dialogue. He said the government viewed these priority areas as a vehicle to tackling work place challenges.

He said government had created an enabling environment in which the labour movement could thrive and effectively pursue interests of the workers as well as contribute meaningfully to the development of the country.

He said it was incumbent for government jointly with trade unions to address the gaps that posed a hindrance to the development of the labour movement. In keeping with the culture of dialogue and consultation, Minister Batshu said the labour movement should continue to play an important role in the development of the labour legislation and policies and also in shaping the socio-economic development of the country.

Minister Batshu further  called for speedy resolution to state of affairs at the Public Service Bargaining Council.

He also mentioned that the long awaited Trade Disputes Bill was ready for discussion in Parliament and explained that the overall objective of the Bill was to promote speedy and efficient resolution of trade disputes. Moreover, Mr Batshu  said the Bill was the culmination of consultations with the Labour Advisory Board, trade unions and other stakeholders.

The legislator also indicated that the processing and amending of the Trade Unions and Employers Organisation Act had also started. He said the law regulated unionism in the country and he urged trade unions to participate in the process.

Other speakers at the event included president of BOFEPUSU Mr Johannes Tshukudu, President of the Botswana Congress Party Mr Dumelang Saleshando, BOFEPUSU  labour secretary Mr Mr Johnson Motshwarakgole, the secretary general of BOFEPUSU Mr Tobokani Rari and MP for Selebi Phikwe East who is also Minister Infrastructure Science and Technology Mr Nonofho Molefhi. The event was also graced by the director of Pubilc Service Management Ms Ruth Maphorisa as well as other senior government officials. ENDS