BOTSWANA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES UNION PAYS A COURTESY VISIT TO THE PERMANENT SECRETARY TO THE PRESIDENT ( PSP)

On the 21st of December 2021, the leadership of Botswana Public Employees Union (“BOPEU”) paid a courtesy visit to the Permanent Secretary to the President. The BOPEU delegation was led by the President of the Union, Ms. Masego Mogwera and her two deputies, Mr. Mothusi Mojela and Mrs. Kenole Makgarebe. The courtesy visit was intended to achieve two main objectives; firstly, the new leadership of BOPEU presented itself before the PSP who is the head of the public service in Botswana to initiate cordial relations with government enclave as the employer party. The leadership of BOPEU noted that in the past few years, the cordial and mutual relationship that has existed from time immemorial between the Union and the Employer party has severely weakened as a result of the instability that characterized the Union and other external factors. The courtesy visit aimed at normalizing these relations which in our view are central towards achieving harmonious industrial relations in the public service.

Secondly and more importantly, the courtesy visit intended to address a myriad of challenges that are confronting BOPEU members in the public service. Such challenges include the lack of progression in the workplace, the varying application of government directives and circulars by different ministries, non- compliance to Court judgments and arbitration awards by government ministries and other matters that are of mutual concern between the Union and the Employer party.

BOPEU is pleased to report that the PSP accorded the Union a warm reception which is the building block for constructive engagement, social dialogue and Tripartism. As the leadership of BOPEU, we recognize and applaud the open- door- policy adopted by the PSP in dealing with the Unions and matters affecting our members in the workplace. Following the meeting with the PSP, the leadership of BOPEU met with Permanent Secretaries ( PS) from a couple of ministries to process some of the issues that were raised with the PSP. As BOPEU, we acknowledge the commitment and will displayed by the office of the PSP in engaging with us on a regular basis on matters of mutual concern. However, we take note of the fact that one meeting cannot resolve all outstanding issues that are of concern to our members in the public service. As the leadership of the Union, we will constantly engage with the Employer party to resolve matters arising at the workplace.

Lastly, the collective leadership of BOPEU, the National Office Bearers in particular, wishes to thank its broad based membership across the length and breadth of the country for their continued support and resilience as the leadership tries to rebuild its stakeholder relationships and to stabilize the Union. The leadership will continue to meet and engage with different stakeholders from time to time in pursuit of building and consolidating harmonious industrial relations for the benefit of our members.