01 Dec 2013

Justice Professor Solo has said core labour standards should be regarded as part and parcel of fundamental human rights. 

When presenting a paper at the three-day Botswana Federation of Trade Unions (BFTU) triennial delegates congress in Francistown, Justice Solo said upholding labour laws would foster democracy and political stability and also help to contain forces of social disintegration, social uprising and political upheaval. 

Justice Solo stated that a study by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) had revealed that failure to observe core labour standards could hamper the country’s economic efficiency and growth of its exports.

“It is argued that exploitation of child labour, discrimination in employment and slavery in general can perpetuate an inefficient economic situation over the long term,” he said.

He added that child labour hindered development of human capital and retards productivity gains. Justice Solo said discrimination in the workplace results in situations where some employees are disadvantaged and denied a chance to work in areas where they would be most productive.

When addressing the congress, BFTU Secretary General Mr Gadzani Mhotsha said the labor sector changes everyday, and there was need to update employees on the latest developments. He said the congress will reflect on the financial crisis impacted on the labor force and the role that labor unions can play.

“The financial meltdown resulted in retrenchments and many of our union members are unemployed. BFTU has to be part of the solution to these problems,” said Mr Mhotsha. Ends