29 Nov 2018

Minister of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development, Mr Tshenolo Mabeo has urged all stakeholders to work towards resuscitating the Public Sector Bargaining Council.

Giving his response to the State-of-the-Nation Address on Wednesday, the Thamaga-Kumakwane MP pleaded with trade unions to join government in working on building a strengthened bargaining council that could take decisions that benefitted the country’s labour force.

“Government appreciates the workers of this country and their contribution to national development.  I urge trade unions to come on board, as we need to salvage the pieces to make the bargaining council work,” Mr Mabeo said.

He also said there was need to address equity in the procurement process of different government entities since there was concern that the same companies receive tender allocations, leaving behind many citizen entrepreneurs.

“The same companies tend to be awarded tenders, but this is an anomaly that needs to be addressed.  The wealth of this country belongs to all of us, not a select few, and we should always ensure that our processes give different people a chance to participate in their country’s economic life,” Mr Mabeo said.

He thanked government for the different developmental projects that would benefit his constituency, naming the road construction at Sengaparile Junction on the Mmankgodi to Kanye road as well as the speed humps in Kumakwane, which he said had saved lives despite complaints from some motorists.

“The community had asked for the speed humps in Kumakwane and they were beneficial although there were motorists who complained that there should be no humps in a highway.  The solution would be to have a dual carriage road along the entire A10 road, something we eagerly want,” he said.

He also appreciated the setting up of a rapid skills centre in Thamaga, saying it would create skills for decent work.

Mr Mabeo also said solar lights as well as floodlights were installed in Thamaga, and pleaded for the speeding up of water reticulation to benefit Thamaga and Molepolole villages.

Mr Mabeo also called for bi-partisan unity across the isle on issues of national importance.

“The SONA is not for the ruling party, as Parliament as Batswana this is a report of what we collectively do. We should put aside partisan interests, as history will judge us harshly if we allow our differences to misguide us, and future generations realise that the peace and tranquility enjoyed by our country was destroyed by our generation,” Mr Mabeo cautioned. ENDS