17 Nov 2013

The Member of Parliament for Tonota South, Mr Pono Moatlhodi has urged government to improve its relationship with public service trade unions.

Debating the State-of-the-Nation Address in Parliament on Wednesday, November 13, Mr Moatlhodi said government needed to be aware of the fact that public service trade unionism was part and parcel of workmanship.

Therefore, he said, it was essential for government to accept the existence of trade unions and work on how best to improve the relationship between the two parties in an effort to improve service delivery.

He emphasised that government needed to clearly understand the role and purpose of trade unions in a democratic set up. He stated that having a common understanding of the purpose and role of public service trade unions would help reduce the tension between senior government officials and union members on the other side improve service delivery and productivity in the public service.

This, he said, would also contribute positively towards the development and growth of our democracy as a nation. He said trade unions should be regarded as major stakeholders and partners in development.

He illustrated that, in a democratic setting, citizens and institutions ought to freely articulate their interests, exercise their rights. Public service trade unions must become active players and serve as a force to compel management to faithfully observe the democratic processes relating to the merit system in the civil service and this should not be treated as a punishable offence or any enemy to the state.

He also encouraged public service trade unions not align themselves with any political party. Mr Moatlhodi further decried the welfare of police special constables, saying that they add value the Botswana Police Service and crime reduction and yet their terms and condition of services do not match their input.

He stated that special constables are visible in all corners of the country, which might have contributed in the decline of crime. Police visibility, he said is fundamental in crime reduction, therefore low crime rates can be attributed to the routine patrols that special constables frequently undertake.

He therefore pleaded with government to consider improving their remuneration package to appreciate their efforts and motivate them to work even harder. ENDS