06 Dec 2016

Suspended High Court Judge, Dr Oagile Dingake has urged all stakeholders in labour relations to work together as equal partners in the interest of the country.

Speaking at BOPEU conference in Francistown, recently, Dr Dingake said a motivated and a hardworking workforce was in the interest of the country, therefore government must engage with the employer with respect and their demands must be evidence based.

He said it was important that trade unions appreciate the nature and essence of law so that they do not regard law as a magic wand to resolve their problems and then overburden the courts with matters as that could be resolved by stakeholders.

Dr Dingake said labour was not a commodity and the freedom of expression was essential to a sustained progress, therefore they should treat each other equally and with respect, noting that poverty anywhere constitutes a danger to prosperity anywhere. He encouraged the employees that they should enjoy equal status with those in the government and joins them in free discussion and democratic decision with a view to promotion of common welfare.

Dr Dingake said there should be a culture of justification, explaining that labour laws should mirror the values of human dignity and freedom.

He said unions’ mains assets should be their own strength in the organisation because of their ability to organise, defend and protect their members.

Furthermore, he said in pursuing their demands they should be reasonable, rational and fair, adding that they must refrain from making demands that are irrational and not justifiable. Another speaker, Mr Frank Samson from Franksmarts said there was more to be done on the issue of policy advocacy, general social activism, fighting unemployment, wage poverty and indecent jobs.

He said he was happy with policy that provides protection among the workers against unemployment such as unemployment insurance and provision of employment to vulnerable groups such as the disabled. Mr Samson called on trade unions in the country to stop fighting each other but to embrace and complement each other because workers need a united voice. ENDS