02 Aug 2016

Parliament, on Monday, rejected an amendment of clause 46 (1) of the Trade Disputes Bill presented by Member of Parliament for Francistown South, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi, to delete some professions listed as essential services.

Mr Mmolotsi had moved that clause 46 (1) appearing in page B.354 BE amended by deleting paragraphs i(d) (h) (k) (l) (m) and (o) which were diamond sorting, cutting and selling services, operational and maintenance services of the railways, veterinary services, teaching services, government broadcasting services and services necessary to the operation of any of the foregoing services.

Upon culmination of the debate on the amendment to delete the paragraphs, 26 MPs voted against the amendment while 13 voted for the amendment, which meant that the clause will remain as is.

Contributing on the debate, MP for Serowe South, Dr Pelonomi Venson- Moitoi said she was against the amendment because all the professions listed dealt with sensitive issues citing  veterinary services  as an  example.

She further highlighted that she supported the minister’s bill because she trusted the Minister of Labour and Home affairs to be reasonable when the time to apply the bill comes.

MP for Ramotswa Mr Samuel Rantuana said government had to improve working conditions of workers because if they would not go on strike, they would apply go slow strategy   whereby workers  “just sit in their offices and still not perform their duties.”

He stated that all workers were important, hence Parliament should not  bring laws that strapped off workers their rights.

MP for Kanye South, Mr Abram Kesupile, said he did not see the need for so many cadres to have been listed as essential something which he said would defeat the whole purpose of a strike.

MP for Gabane Mmankgodi Ma.j Gen. Pius Mokgware noted that it was not necessary to put all the professions in clause 46 as essential services reiterating that it defeated the whole purpose of a strike.

MP for Ghanzi North Mr Noah Salakae supported the amendment saying when the said cadres went on strike in 2011 there was less damage. 

He said the bill protected the employers more than employees because it gives the employers  hiring and firing rights.

MP for Mochudi West Mr Gilbert Mangole said a law should be enforceable for people to follow adding that if everyone was listed as essential services others would defy it and strike.

MP for Molepolole South Dr Tlamelo Mmatli said  he believed that working conditions should be improved rather than putting other workers as essential as if others are not important.

MP for Gaborone Bonnington South Mr Ndaba Gaolathe said a strike was meant to afford a worker bargaining power to pinch the employer.

He proposed that Botswana should move towards a universal definition of essential services; which is inclined to a life threatening professions. ENDS