Mine Workers Union commends De Beers Group
Botswana Mine Workers Union ( BMWU) has commended the recent pledge of P55 million by the De- Beers Group of Companies towards the COVID- 19 vaccination roll- out.
According to the union, De- Beers Group’s contribution comes two months after the BMWU called on the mining industry of Botswana to support the Government’s efforts in procuring COVID- 19 vaccinations. BMWU General Secretary Maenge Maenge said they are elated that De- Beers Group has been the first to respond to their call. Maenge said the mining group contribution is handsome and will go a long way in alleviating the Government of its current financial burden in procuring vaccines.
“In our call to the industry and Government, we demanded the prioritisation of mineworkers in the COVID- 19 vaccination roll- out and their elevation to the same status as health workers.
“As essential service workers in a key strategic economic sector, they remain critical to the accelerated implementation of the Economic Recovery and Transformation Plan ( ERTP),” the general secretary said. Maenge stated that notwithstanding the # ARMREADY Campaign which is modelled on the approach defined by the National Development and Vaccination Plan for COVID- 19, BMWU impresses upon Government and De Beers Group to follow the WHO SAGE
framework for the allocation and prioritisation of COVID- 19 vaccination. “We demand that initiation and roll- out of the vaccination programme in the mines be equitable, dignified and guided by epidemiological settings, social and economic impact,” he said.
Matenge explained that prioritisation should be targeted, but should not only be confined to employees over 55 years. He said consideration should be placed on the benefit risk assessment factor being sectors most critical for optimising production. The general secretary pointed out that among the De Beers Group of Companies, Debswana is by far a strategic partner in the mining industry in Botswana. “In fact, it is a leading player in terms of setting the course and/ or agenda of the industry. Through its contribution, we hope to see at industry level; through Debswana’s membership and influence, a clear position from the Botswana Chamber of Mines on the industry’s position on mining houses contribution to support government vaccination procurement; more pledges and/ or contributions from other mining houses; prioritisation of mineworkers and their families in the 1- 3 percent targeted population vaccine deployment as espoused in the National Deployment and Vaccination Plan ( NDVP) for Covid- 19 in Botswana; and reconstitution of the Mines Quarries and Works Safety Committee under section 5 of the MQWM Act ( Cap 44: 02), as an indicator of the industry’s commitment to the safety and health of employees and their families”.