02 May 2022

 Negotiations on public sector  employees’ conditions of service will commence this week, says President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi.

Speaking on the occasion of Workers Day commemoration Sunday, he expressed the belief that the negotiations would result in a benefitial outcome for both parties.

Turning to this year’s theme, Empowering workers and strengthening social dialogue for economic recovery and real transformation in the workplace, President Masisi said it empowered Batswana to participate in the country’s economic development.

It would help ensure that anyone who worked in either the public or private sector was rewarded fairly, he said.

President Masisi stated that social dialogue dynamics had changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic affecting all sectors of the economy thereby rendering social and economic sustainability difficult.

The pandemic brought about labour disputes and uncertainties for many with some workers facing threats of unfair dismissals,   he said.

However, Dr Masisi said the state of emergency protected Batswana from such threats. 

He said Botswana, as a member of ILO, empowered workers to join trade unions of their choice in order to advocate for their rights.

On the commemoration,, he said it was meant to meaningfully chart the way forward to improve workplace conditions.

It served as an engagement platform for all stakeholders to discuss issues such as labour relations, job security, professionalism and customer service, he  pointed out.

Speaking at the commemoration in Maun, Minister of Labour and Home Affairs Ms Annah Mokgethi said the day symbolised victory attained by working men and women in their struggle for better working cnditions.

Trade unions, she said, played a pivotal role in advancing workers’ rights and interests noting however that they had obligations to meet as per the Trade Unions and Employers Organisations’ Act.

Ms Mokgethi said Labour Day should help workers to reflect and strategise towards ensuring harmonious industrial relations in Botswana.

She said government relied on trade unions to sensitise workers across all sectors about realities in the world of work.

“Trade unions need to help workers appreciate that things have changed and there is need for mindset change in order to embrace the new normal brought about by COVID-19,” said Ms Mokgethi.

Botswana Federation of Trade Unions (BFTU) president Ms Martha Molema said Labour Day empowered workers to have a voice and stand against workplace injustices.

She challenged government to put in place stringent laws to protect workers against private companies which payed employees below the living wage whereas such firms made large profits.

Ms Molema said workers were exposed to unfavourable working conditions in some organisations.

As an example, she said  some workers knocked off late at night and had to walk back home which  endangered their lives.

She condemned GBV in the workplace especially in the private sector where most women were sexually abused by senior officers.

Ms Molema called on government to investigate and interrogate working conditions not just in the public but private sector as well in order to protect Batswana.

Botswana Federation of Public, Private and Parastatal Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU) president Mr Johannes Tshukudu acknowledged that COVID-19 had crippled the economy but said time had come for government to assess workers’ welfare.

Stating that employees were greatly challenged in the workplace, he said some obstacles could be overcome if government was willing to engage workers.

Mr Tshukudu complained that ministers did not honour invitations to trade union meetings when on the other hand workers’ organisations always honoured ministers’ calls.

He called on leaders to uphold fairness at all times when addressing labour relations issues.BOPA