Unions warn Masisi
Workers’ unions to deal with BDP in 2024
Botswana Federation of Public Private and Parastatal Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU) president Johannes Tshukudu has challenged President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi to work amicably with trade unions as he promised before the 2019 national elections or face the wrath of the masses.
Speaking during the commemoration of Labour Day on Saturday Tshukudu said currently there is no social dialogue between ruling political leadership and other key stakeholders especially labour and business. “The reckless spending during that period of the first state lockdown and even now is a clear testimony that there is no social dialogue.
“This lack of social dialogue led to corrupt practices by some unethical citizens making the most devastated citizens to lose in the process,” Tshukudu said.
He warned that as union leaders, they are watching all political leaders and they are judging them by their actions. “President Masisi promised to work with trade unions and he has promised that a Public Service Bargaining Council will be revived after he takes power, but all those promises failed.
“He should explain why this council is failing and who is responsible for its failure and why can’t that person be beckoned like others who are being relieved of their duties.” In 2018 President Masisi said government was engaging all public sector unions to evaluate the council’s constitution and to have it functional before the end of that year as part of a government process to address labour movement concerns in order to improve industrial relations. At the time, Masisi expressed his disappointment that social dialogue is skewed towards government senior and political officials hence socio-economic and political regression. “It is still difficult for some government
officials, Ministers and employees still find it difficult to engage with union leadership on issues of workers’ welfare and conditions of services.” Tshukudu cautioned political parties to ensure that they are in the right position to lead the nation. “We notify all of you political parties that we are observing you and in 2024 we are going to reward everyone by their works. “We don’t trust the current status of the political parties. If we are not satisfied with the ruling party who should we look up to? We hope all political parties will show better leadership acts.” Delivering his speech on Labour Day, President Masisi said he was aware of the state of affairs regarding labour relations in the country including the full implementation of the country’s decent work programme and the delayed resuscitation of the public bargaining council. “Despite the challenges, there is hope for the bargaining council under the guidance of an independent facilitator, the Directorate of Public Service Management together with all public service unions who have been engaging each other in the spirit of mutual respect and good faith. “I am further informed the parties have resolved to seek expert advice from the International Labour Organisation to address outstanding issues in order to complete the task of resuscitating the bargaining council.”
Masisi said there is a need for the country to create sustainable jobs especially for the youth.
“Moreover the ongoing review of our labour laws such as the Public Service Act and the Trade Dispute Act to align them with international labour standards will go a long way in recreating decent work for our people.” Botswana Federation of Trade Unions (BFTU) deputy president Gaorekwe Molaodi said they demand a further review of laws and provisions relating to insolvency. “It is the Federation’s considered view that social dialogue in the present dispensation is merely cosmetic and incapable of fully aiding the implementation of the SDGs and ensuring we leave no one behind and or liquidation to protect employees” Molaodi reiterated that they are looking up to the political parties to help but most of them after winning the elections forget about the people who sent them to parliament.
“The absence of an integrated national social security policy with many and scattered policy administrators goes to show how far behind we are in meeting those deserving of the social protection assistance despite our shared pledge not to leave anyone behind. “We are saying political parties we are looking up to you to help us but most of you have forgotten about us. We are watching,” Molaodi warned.