03 May 2018

Minister of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development, Mr Tshenolo Mabeo has commended Botswana Federation of Trade Unions (BFTU) and its newly elected National Executive Committee for strengthening partnership with government.

Speaking during the just-ended BFTU elective congress, Mr Mabeo applauded the new BFTU president, Mr Bohithetswe Lentswe and his committee for their victory during the elections.

He cited slow economic growth, unemployment, especially among the youth, low productivity and poverty as some of the challenges facing the country.

Minister Mabeo said such challenges required action, not only from government, but from all stakeholders including trade unions.

He however urged BFTU to be part of the solution to those problems.

“Unionists must practice a culture of subjecting themselves to the wishes of their affiliates and members.

As leaders, you are accountable and answerable to all the members of your trade union. You must not shrug off your obligations to report back to your structures,” he said.

He urged members to always ensure that their decisions were justified and well understood by the rank and file.

Mr Mabeo noted that ‘accountability demanded that leadership took responsibility for their actions and admited mistakes when it had erred.’

He added that accountability was the guiding principle to function coherently, peacefully, efficiently and effectively as organisations.

He encouraged BFTU to request its affiliates to submit annual returns to the Registrar as the mother body.

He reminded them to use the Decent Work Country Programme, an ILO support delivery vehicle bearing in mind that the programme aimed to promote rights at work, productivity and decent employment opportunities, enhance social protection and strengthen social dialogue.

“As governments, employers and workers, we are united by a common objective of placing the decent work agenda at the centre of policies for the purpose of achieving strong, sustainable and inclusive growth and development,” he said.

He also urged BFTU to come up with more well-thought initiatives that would strengthen the objectives of social dialogue. ENDS