02 May 2023

The Botswana All Tourism Workers Union has submitted a proposal to the Department of Tourism, under the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, for the formation of a national tourism council.

This was revealed by the union president, Mr Leboneng Omane during a meeting in Maun on Saturday.

Mr Omane said the envisaged council would lobby for review of some tourism laws with the aim to build harmony between tourism workers and employers.

That, he said was motivated by some concerns which had been raised by workers about some tourism companies which threatened to fire employees if they joined trade unions.

He indicated that the union was registered in May last year following the COVID-19 outbreak which had left many in the tourism industry unemployed.

“Many workers in the tourism sector have expressed fear to join the newly formed union due to their employers’ disapproval. Even though some people have worked over 20 years for certain companies they were retrenched and left empty handed without any benefits because there was no union to back them up,” he said.

That, he said was due to the fact that there were acts of misconduct in the industry where companies mistreated workers to a point where some worked without contracts.

“The tourism industry is one of the most risky places to work in because we work in the bush surrounded by animals and our lives are in danger but we don’t have insurance, risk allowance or any union to protect us,” he added.

Currently, he said the union had only 15 members while others were followers who showed interest but feared to register.

Conversely, he refuted views that the union was formed to fight with government and tourism companies, saying every industry in Botswana had a trade union to discuss, negotiate and protect their respective members.

Giving a word of encouragement, Botswana Guides Association (BOGA) chairperson, Mr Kenson Kgaga commended tourism workers for forming the association, which he said would assist them to amplify their voices in unionism.

Mr Kgaga however encouraged members to desist from aligning their union with politics, saying that would cause divisions and lead to disagreements that could destroy the union.

“Tourism is critical in the economic development of our country hence this industry has to be protected by all means so that it doesn’t destroy the reputation of Botswana and I believe it starts with treating tourism workers right and letting them express themselves,” he said.

He indicated that there were international organisations that advocated protection of workers in any country. “Therefore if there are allegations that there could be any mistreatment of workers in tourism it would put Botswana in a bad light,” he added.

Mr Kgaga further encouraged them to continue recruiting more members and also seek funding from other organisations so that the union would grow.

However, he warned against misappropriation of funds because that could destroy the union. Ends