BOFEPUSU watches Baeng
FRANCISTOWN: Secretary-general of the Botswana Federation of Public, Private and Parastatal Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU), Tobokani Rari has noted that the federation will have keen interest on how the recently appointed Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) chairperson of the labour and wellness committee will execute his duties.
Well known trade union activist cum-businessman, Pelotshweu Baeng was this week announced as the chairperson for the ruling party’s labour sub-committee. Until the announcement, Baeng’s close association with the ruling party was not widely known.
Baeng is known as a fierce trade unionist. He relentlessly fought for the rights of the workers during his time as the president of the Botswana Land Boards and Local Authorities and Health Workers Union (BLLAHWU). He is best remembered for playing a leading role during the 2011 civil servants’ strike. He was amongst those who gave the strike political direction.
He was also influential in the strategic planning of the strike and provided wise counsel to the likes of Rari and Ketlhalefile Motshegwa who was still wet behind the ears in terms of trade unionism. During the strike, Baeng was also able to shrug off the BDP government’s often intimidating and intensive public relations exercise. His recent appointment has to some extent rekindled hope that the committee will be able to come with solid suggestions (to government) meant to improve the overall welfare of the working class. The sub-committee is considered a think tank to the government on labour matters.
In an interview this week, Rari stated that he always known Baeng as a man who is unwavering when speaking about the rights of the workers. “I have interacted with him several times during his time at BLLAHWU. He was robust and never missed an opportunity to advance the interest of the workers. He was unflinching. For now, we will play the wait and see game. We will give him the benefit of the doubt. We will be watching him with keen interest because he comes with a very good reputation (on labour matters),” said Rari.
He emphasised that Baeng should focus on ensuring that recommendations made by the union to the ruling party labour sub-committee are conveyed to government and implemented earnestly.
“We have had several engagements with the committee (previous committees). During those engagements, we made several recommendations to the committee with the hope that they will be relayed to government for implementation. Unfortunately, it seems not much has been done by the committee in terms of pushing the government to execute most of the recommendations.”
Rari pointed out that one of the key recommendations that they made to the committee was the establishment of a well-staffed labour inspectorate that will monitor compliance with the country’s labour laws. His frustration is that it seems previous committees did not do much to lobby the government to establish the inspectorate.
The other frustration for Rari is that at times those who join the sub-committee with an immaculate record of fighting for the rights of the workers often fail to deliver. His suspicion is that the environment in the ruling party might not be conducive.
Yesterday, Baeng told Mmegi that he is very determined to use his perfect record as a trade unionist to ensure that the committee effectively articulates its mandate.
“I am committed to fighting for the welfare of the working class. I have not yet met the party leadership to receive a proper mandate. I can, however, give assurance that I will use my experience and track record in labour to influence policies that are pro working class,” he said.