Mine workers lobby for increased recognition
Botswana Mine Workers Union ( BMWU) has raised red flags on its relationship with government and employers.
Addressing the media in Gaborone this week, the Union said the lukewarm relations of employees with government and employers has potential to derail the country’s economic aspirations. “How can government neglect someone who is working hard to ensure that the economy recovers,” said BMWU President, Joseph Tsimako.
Tsimako said the Union has raised several concerns with President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s administration but in vain, and will continue to lobby for recognition. As a critical stakeholder of the mining industry, BMWU wants government to afford the Union a seat in the High Level Consultative Council chaired by President Masisi.
“We have been deliberately left out, though we represent the employees, and we have brought this issue before the President, and still waiting for his response,” said Tsimako.
HLCC is a bi- annual platform that aims to give an update and progress on policy and reforms pertaining to doing business in Botswana and also to promote public private sector participation. Apart from lobbying for more recognition with government, Tsimako has bemoaned that other mining companies refuse to recognize the Union.
“It is everyone’s constitutional right to associate with union of choice but some companies are denying their employees that right,” said Tsimako.
He alleged that some companies are conniving with labour officers in denying the Union recognition.
“Some companies have offered us recognition after issuing threats to approach the courts,” said Tsimako.
The Union further wants government to draft a new Mines, Health and Compensation Act with a Compensation Fund where companies contribute part of their profits to cater for claims of occupational disease and injuries.
Tsimako said the Fund will remove the burden and liabilities from government emanating from occupational claims and injuries.
BMWU also wants the expansion of the reclamation bond used for rehabilitation of the environment to extend its scope.
Meanwhile, BMWU has warned that the country’s Citizen Economic Empowerment Policy ( CEEP) enabling more citizen owned companies to take up tenders in the mining industry, should be diligently implemented to avoid job losses.
“CEEP intended to localize the mining industry and cut the import bill is a good initiative on paper but it’s affecting employees,” said Tsimako, citing the Majwe Mine contract termination where employees lost jobs and some were reengaged or redeployed after the interventions of BMWU.
Tsimako warned that more job losses are looming as the country’s mining giant Debswana is planning to terminate contracts for three equipment hire companies which are Komatsu, Barloworld and Kanu, as part of CEEP and moving on to hybrid mining.
BMWU is concerned that lack of consultation process prior to termination of contracts for foreign companies is leaving workers exposed and unemployed.