09 Aug 2020

 Government will, effective September 1, pay public servants salary increment arrears which were deferred in April following the COVID-19 outbreak in Botswana.

Government’s plans to increase public servants’ salaries by 10 and six per cent for officers on scales A and B as well as C and D respectively at the beginning of the current financial year were scuppered by COVID-19.

Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Kabo Morwaeng told the media Saturday that following an appraisal of the country’s economy, which showed signs of improvement, government deemed it fit to pay the increment and arrears.

“Government reached an agreement with union representatives to review the decision to defer public service salary increases in light of the current economic performance as articulated in the Mid Term Review of NDP 11 and Economic Recovery and Transformation Plan. Government has thus reached a conclusion that while COVID-19 continues to challenge our economy performance, a window of opportunity exists to review some decisions. A collective decision has therefore been taken that deferment of salary increases be lifted,” he said.

Minister Morwaeng also said government remained steadfast to fulfill the collective agreement reached with unions during the consultation period.

In addition, he said, government had previously committed to, jointly with the public service unions, review the status regarding COVID-19 and the national economic recovery in September.

“Government had in the past consulted relevant stakeholders being workers’ unions that the implementation of the increment be deferred as the then economic outlook made the increment unattainable. Thus being the trustworthy and consultative government that we are, it was fitting that we stick to our promise,” he stated.

The  minister  however,  cautioned  that  while  the  slight  improvement had enabled government to deliver on its promise to honour collective labour agreements,  the  economic  outlook  still  remained volatile  and  uncertain due to COVID-19.

He said the situation required the highest productivity levels across all sectors of the economy and encouraged all public officers to continue doing their best to facilitate economic growth and total transformation.

Meanwhile, Minister Morwaeng has applauded public service employees and their unions’ leadership as well as Batswana for their cooperation, understanding, patience and spirit of nationalism they demonstrated during the current   difficult period of the COVID-19 pandemic.   

 

“I am also  hopeful that the  spirit  of cooperation and understanding displayed by all partners will continue to thrive  and  flourish  in  all  during  similar  future challenges,” he said. BOPA