Economy will bounce back - Masisi
President confident of job creation under National Employment Policy
President Mokgweetsi Masisi is confident that if effectively implemented, the National Employment Policy for Botswana has the potential to address the challenge of unemployment and thus reduce poverty.
The Policy has been approved by Parliament. Masisi stated that Government will be engaging employers and workers regarding its implementation.
Masisi who was speaking at the Botswana Federation of Trade Union Elective Congress in Palapye said he wants to reassure labour movements that as Government, they are not only interested in the improvement of the welfare of workers but also in the delivery of services to the citizens and residents of this country. BFTU held its 15th elective Congress under the theme ‘ Advancing Workers’ Rights and Protection amid Covid- 19’.
“To this end, in May this year, I made a pronouncement regarding the Reset Agenda which has five priorities namely; saving our people from the Pandemic through a vigorous vaccination programme, promoting digitisation, value chain development and mindset change, as well as embodying the national transformation agenda in the implementation machinery of Government. “I wish to reiterate my Government’s commitment to ensuring that trade unions in Botswana are accorded the full rights that they deserve to effectively represent their members,” Masisi said.
The president told the congress that Government recognises the long history of the BFTU as a national labour movement, and the important role it continues to play in representing labour unions and workers interests in Botswana.
In the same context, Government values the cordial relationship that it has had over the years with the federation, Masisi said, adding that to this extent, it is worth acknowledging the role that the federation continues to play in advancing the interests of its membership and labour generally, in various fora that Government has created. “These include the Labour Advisory Board, the Minimum Wage Advisory Board and other high level consultative committees for purposes of consulting with employers and workers as social partners. “As you would be aware, Government has also been consistent in involving the BFTU in policy formulation relating to various issues of national interest. This practice is derived from the fact that as Government, we recognise the labour movement as a strategic partner in national development. “The diverse interests and views of BFTU member unions and individual workers are critical in pursuit of our national development objectives, particularly in relation to the promotion of decent work and the fight against poverty,” he told the delegates. Also worth mentioning is the development of the Decent Work Country Programme, 2020 - 2024, which is a flagship programme for
Government, employers and workers, as well as the International Labour Organisation ( ILO). “I note with satisfaction that the orientation of the Decent Work Country Programme Steering Committee will be taking place from 27th to 28th October 2021, he added. The President urged all the parties involved to redouble their efforts to ensure the speedy implementation of the Programme. Masisi pointed out that the effects of the pandemic in the world of work have no doubt been too severe. He said sadly, there has been loss of lives, including workers, friends and loved ones. He said the country has also witnessed the closures of companies and businesses, which had negative consequences on jobs and income for workers. “Faced with this situation, Government in collaboration with key stakeholders has been able to come up with programmes which were intended to preserve lives, support workers and stabilise businesses. “These priorities were premised on a firm foundation of social dialogue. These included the wage subsidies for three months for employees in businesses affected by Covid- 19 and loan guarantee scheme to support access to bank credit for businesses adversely affected by Covid- 19,” Masisi said.
He said Government also adopted a response plan in the form of the Economic Recovery and Transformation Plan whose objective is to support the restoration of economic activity and incomes, facilitate economic growth and accelerate economic transformation and build the resilience of the economy