05 Dec 2019

Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Kabo Morwaeng, has reiterated government’s commitment to maintaining good industrial relations with trade unions.

Officially opening Botswana Public Employees Union (BOPEU) central executive conference in Palapye, Minister Morwaeng said government intended to work with trade unions to handle employees welfare issues.

He said government recognised trade unions as strategic partners and was willing to collaborate with and engage the organisations in both public and private sectors to move the country forward.

“I would like to implore you to meaningfully play your part as the trade union in the process of promoting cordial industrial relations in the public service,” he said.

He further said government had already taken important steps through the tripartite Labour Law Review Committee to look at all the existing labour laws.

He said the pieces of legislation included Employment Act and Public Service Act. He said the schedule relating to essential services had also been revised in line with international labour standards and practices.

He further indicated that one of the outstanding matters that needed to be concluded was resuscitation of the Public Service Bargaining Council (PSBC) since it was the only lawful platform where terms and conditions of service could be negotiated.

He also noted that PSBC was the platform where government could consult public sector unions on matters of national interest.

“I, therefore, implore you to expedite the conclusion of the process to resuscitate the PSBC,” he said.

Minister Morwaeng  stated that government appreciated the achievement made by both parties relating to a two-year agreement on public salary adjustments for the financial year 2019/2020 and 2020/ 2021 as well as the outcome of the recent negotiations on the conditions of service.

“We are also aware of the challenges facing the public service employees countrywide that include inadequate resources, lack of progression and overstays in districts, villages and towns among other,” he said.

“However, some agreements reached by the employer and unions on the formulation of a remuneration policy, development of a  new fan-shaped and overlapping pay structure as well as performance management will help to minimize the existing challenges,” he said.

Mr Morwaeng noted that President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi took a firm decision to offer employment opportunities to former employees who participated in the 2011 public service industrial strike and were subsequently expelled. 

“This is a clear demonstration of his commitment to address welfare issues of employee,” he said.

Minister Morwaeng acknowledged BOPEU and other trade unions as organisations that served an even greater role in the improvement of the quality of lives of citizens. 

He noted that government was also committed to the principles of dialogue and engagement because of the critical role trade unions continue to play in enhancing good governance in Botswana.

“I am informed that the BOPEU annual general meeting is convened as it is a constitutional imperative. It is occasions such as this that enrich organisational democracy. Annual general meetings, conferences, and congresses give members an opportunity to evaluate not only the performance of the union, but also its leadership and commitment of its members,”  he said. ENDS