05 Dec 2023

Botswana Public Employees Union (BOPEU) has been complimented for playing an active role in advocating for fair labour practices.

Speaking during BOPEU’s Central Executive Committee meeting in Palapye on Tuesday, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi commended the union for advocating for economic empowerment, rights of workers, just employer/employee relationship and most importantly, fair labour practises.

Dr Masisi encouraged the union to continue with the noble attribute of accountability, since a union’s role went beyond bread and butter issues.

He said the union promoted formulation of policies that advanced equality of societies.

The President congratulated BOPEU leadership for successfully hosting the Central Executive Committee meeting themed: Strengthening Union Capacity Towards Decent Work and A Just Transition.

He talked about Botswana and De Beers Group new diamond sales deal in which Botswana gradually increased the share of rough stones it got from their joint venture, Debswana over the next decade to 50 per cent.

Dr Masisi said the Botswana government and De Beers had agreed on a 10-year sales deal for Debswana's rough diamond production through to 2033, and a 25-year Debswana mining licence valid until 2054.

He said such a move would inject money into the economy and consequently lead to decent working conditions and quality of life.

BOPEU president, Ms Masego Mogwera said the union responded to the global call to end gender based violence on women and children that threatened the social fabric of society.

She said the surge in ritual murders of which the majority of victims were women was not helping the situation and she called on traditional leaders to engage the community to find a lasting solution to the problem.

Ms Mogwera said the meeting  was not a box ticking exercise but was envisaged to impact on people’s lives and change them for the better.

She further stated that the union desired to attract more members and grow in leaps and bounds while achieving membership retention.

She talked about the need to have support systems that catered for members who were on the verge of retirement saying, focus should not only be on currently employed members but should go beyond employment.

BOPEU is moving in the right direction as accountability, timeliness and responsibility are virtues that the organisation cherishes, Ms Mogwera said.

She said maximum unity and discipline had been achieved in the organisation and thus deserved applause.

Ms Mogwera said when the current leadership took over, the union was a debt ridden organisation of which some of the structures were affected.

With regard to staff complement, Ms Mogwera said BOPEU employed young professionals, 50 of whom were degree holders and therefore, it was the organisation’s wish to embrace new ideas, fourth industrial revolution and incorporate technology in all structures and daily operations.

She commended government for economic inclusion, ingenuity and the historic achievement to DeBeers new deal in which President Masisi had pushed for a bigger share of Debswana's output, a feat worthy of an applause. Ends