25 Apr 2020

A salary increment agreement between government and public servants, through their unions, remains lawful and binding, therefore government is committed to fulfilling it.

Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Kabo Morwaeng, made this assurance when briefing the media about his ministry’s COVID-19 response today (April 25).

However, Minister Morwaeng said given the current economic outlook, implementation of the agreement was unrealistic.

“We have therefore requested our partners in the workers unions that we should defer implementation of this agreement. The said unions are BLLAHWU, BOSETU, BONU, BTU, NALCGPWU, TAWU and BOGOWU,” he said.

Minister Morwaeng said after being appraised on the current economic condition as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the direct implication of expected public service salary adjustment, he advised the Director of Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM) to convene a meeting with all signatories to the agreement.

The purpose of the meeting was, among other things, that the implementation of the 2020/2021 salary adjustment of 10 per cent for scale A and B and six percent for C and D be deferred for at least six months.

Two unions, BOGOWU and TAWU have already accepted request for the deferment, Minister Morwaeng said.

He said they were still awaiting responses from other partners and that government was optimistic that they too would positively consider the plea in the interest of all Batswana.

Government issued a directive on March 24, indicating salary increments for public service employees effective April 1.

In the face of the current situation, Minister Morwaeng said government had to reconsider its position and engaged unions with view to agreeing on deferment of salary increases for this financial year. ENDS