05 Feb 2018

Permanent Secretary to the President, Mr Carter Morupisi who is also secretary of Cabinet held a meeting with former BCL Mine workers on February 1 to respond to some issues of concern they presented through their union to government regarding the benefits they requested after losing their jobs due to the closure of BCL Mine in October 2016.

Some issues they engaged the PSP in included the request for government to consider giving the former workers retrenchment packages, issues pertaining to the free accommodation that they are being provided with and medical assistance for the former miners since the BCL Mine Hospital which was setup to assist them and their families was closed after the mine was put under liquidation.

When responding to the miners, Mr Morupisi noted that government did not intend for Selebi Phikwe to be in the state it is now due to the closure of the BCL Mine.

He said government is working round the clock to put in place mechanisms or programmes that will help revitalise the economy of the region.

Regarding the former mine workers’ request to be paid retrenchment packages, Mr Morupisi explained that the issue will be determined by the BCL Mine liquidator and government after the liquidation process is complete.

He said depending on the outcome of the liquidation report, the liquidator and government might consider exercising a ‘compassionate consideration’ motive to award the former employees retrenchment packages.

He further indicated that he is aware that most of the former miners were paid terminal benefits and efforts are being made by the liquidator to locate and contact those that have not received their benefits yet so that they could get paid.  

He also mentioned that due to the fact that the BCL Mine Hospital was closed after the liquidation of the mine, former BCL Mine employees will continue to receive medical care and assistance at government hospitals.

He said if the hospitals refer patients to private hospitals or outside the country for medical attention, government would incur the costs and not the former BCL Mine workers.

He went on to note that former BCL mine employees have been offered free accommodation in BCL Mine houses until the end of the year.

However they were required to pay their utilities such as water and electricity.

On other issues, Mr Morupisi mentioned that government had pledged to assist the former miners to get jobs in other mines and sectors of the economy if vacancies became available.

He said government had appealed to organisations to consider the BCL Mine workers first when vacancies were available depending on if the incumbent had the experience, skills and qualification required for the job.

Meanwhile, when welcoming Mr Morupisi and his entourage that included senior officials from the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, Botswana Mineral Development Company, senior government officials and attendants at the meeting, the Mayor of Selebi Phikwe, Mr Molosiwa Molosiwa explained that the mining town and surrounding villages faced a difficult time after the closure of the mine which was the main economic contributor in the region.

He said some businesses had closed down while some relocated to other parts of the country.

He said residents also experienced challenges in taking care of their families in that they did not have any form of employment.

Some former miners aired their views  during the meeting noting that since they lost their jobs they experienced numerous challenges such as paying their utility bills as well as taking care of their families due to the fact that they were unemployed.

They stated that they had accepted that the mine has closed down but all they request was government to consider paying them retrenchment packages. ENDS