16 Jan 2019

Public sector unions are optimistic that government will adjust public officers’ salaries in April. 

Speaking after a meeting with President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi and the public sector unions, the Botswana Public Employees Union (BOPEU), president Ms Masego Mogwera said they raised a concern regarding sluggish start of salary increment negotiations.

She said the unions and the Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM) had agreed that the negotiations would start on November 29, 2018 to be completed on December 2, 2018, but the meetings had not been held, hence their meeting with the President.

Ms Mogwera also mentioned that Dr Masisi assured them that the negotiations would start by January 28 and that the government was committed to increasing salaries effective April 1.

She nevertheless said they did not discuss the percentage increase, but were more concerned that salary negotiations should be completed before closure of the budget circle. 

Sharing the sentiments, the national chairperson for National Amalgamated Workers Union for Local and Central Government, Mr Obeile Molamu said the meeting was productive as President Masisi committed himself to ensuring that talks would be held and completed before April.

Meanwhile, DPSM legal advisor, Mr Tefo Bogosi, promised that negotiations would start before end of this month to pave way for April increment. Ends