04 Feb 2019

Public sector unions have announced salary adjustment of 10 per cent for A-B bands and six per cent for C-D bands for financial years 2019/2020 effective April 1.

The salary adjustment dissipates drought that has been facing public service employees for the past couple of years as they were only cushioned for inflation that ranged between three to four  per cent.  

Briefing the media  yesterday, the six trade unions, Botswana Public Employees Union, Botswana Sector of Educators and Trade Union, Botswana Teacher Union, Botswana Nurses Union, Botswana Land Boards, Local Authorities and Health Workers Unions and National Amalgamated Local, Central Government and Parastatals Workers Unions negotiation team was pleased to inform the nation that they successfully concluded a two-year agreement for financial years 2019/2010 and 2020/2021. 

The trade unions chief negotiator, Mr Tobokani Rari further said the employer and the unions party also agreed that salary adjustments for 2020/2021 financial years would also be 10 per cent for A-B bands and six per cent for C-D bands effective April 2020.

“I am happy to state that there was thorough engagement during the negotiation process, and it has been transparent, done in good faith and honesty between the unions’ party and the employer being the Directorate of Public Service Management” he said.

Mr Rari further said the public sector unions anticipate that going forward, the negotiating parties would build on the good faith and harmonious relations that was exhibited during the negotiations.

He further noted that following the salary adjustment, other negotiations with regards to the findings and recommendations  of the Performance Management Delivery And Unit (PEMANDU) report would follow suit and would be finalised between May and June.

He said proposals on the public service conditions would also be discussed during the same period.

“We have agreed on the salaries and thought that as a continuation of this process, we need also now to negotiate improvement in the conditions of service and PEMANDU report separately,” he said. 

He said the discussions would be done at the Public Service Bargaining Council, provided it is up and running, failing which they would be discussed in the same process that was used to facilitate the salary adjustment negotiations.

Mr Rari hailed cooperation that prevailed during the negotiation process between the six public sector unions who represent close to 100 000 employees.

Deputy chief negotiator, Mr Ketlhalefile Motshegwa hailed the cordial relations that prevailed during the negotiation process between government and union party representatives, especially President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi for his willingness to engage trade unions. 

He also hailed the decision by the two parties to appoint an independent negotiations chairperson, Mr Felix Lesetedi, which he described as the step in the right direction. Ends