14 Aug 2019

Residents of Orapa have been advised to channel workplace issues through union representatives.

Addressing a kgotla meeting in Orapa this week, Vice President Slumber Tsogwane said employers, through unions, were better placed to give feedback on issues affecting Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa mine employees which he had been made aware of.

 Employees had previously at different fora raised concern about a number of issues among them bonuses and proposed security improvements in the red area part of the mines.

Debswana management had proposed introducing Scannex machines to which employees objected for fear of negative effects it might have on human health.

The vice president informed the gathering that neither the meeting he had planned to have with mine workers union nor with the concerned employees had materialised.

He however said he was ready to meet with the union to discussed the issues raised.

He said he had in the past fought hard to be allowed to address mine workers adding that it was important that he met with them.

Union representatives, he said, must be bold enough to stand for the rights of employees noting that in any work environment, there were situations where employees and employers would be on opposite sides which should not discourage them.

He said it was within the law for employees to protest as a way of communicating their displeasure as long as they did so legally.

Through proper consultation, Mr Tsogwane said, amicable solutions could be found.

He advised employees to be wary of some individuals who might try to gain political mileage out of the issue.

“You are the right people to fight your issues, beware not to be misled as political campaigns are at their peak, “ he said.

He said even with the public service, matters were resolved through the bargaining council while government officials only got involved for the purpose of giving direction and not to interfere. Ends